Paul Farbrace believes the spirit of Sussex is back after they clinched promotion.

The county wasted little time in securing an innings win over Gloucestershire at Bristol.

They will return to the first tier of the Vitality County Championship next season for the first time since 2015.

Gloucestershire fell seven runs short of making Sussex bat again.

It was the leaders’ third successive innings win and their fourth of the campaign.

Gloucestershire opened day three on 140-3, trailing by 62 runs, and were skittled before lunch for 195.

Left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat finished with 3-39 and match figures of 7-71, while Henry Crocombe took 4-22.

Farbrace said: “I was nervous coming into this morning thinking about how many we might have to chase with Zafar Gohar in the Gloucestershire attack and thought any more than 150 might be hard on that pitch.

“To actually win the game today without having to bat is fantastic and just shows the quality we have in our bowling attack.

“Henry Crocombe was top class with his spell and closed the game out, but Jaydev Unadkat and Ollie Robinson have also been superb for us.

“For a young Sussex boy like Henry to finish the game off was brilliant, as was having another local boy, Bertie Foreman, bowling at the other end when the final wicket was taken.

“Winning promotion is wonderful for everyone associated with the club, from the chairman and the board to the office staff, people who work on the ground, the members and supporters.

“It’s for them and the players. I am only in my second season and, while I am thrilled, there are a lot of others out there who will be equally delighted.

“When I arrived, I talked about our goal being promotion and I wasn’t shy in saying that.

“To have won eight Championship games out of 13 this season is a fantastic effort from the players.

“It means a lot that we go on to clinch the Division Two title because there are some very good teams who have been chasing us.

“Both Yorkshire and Middlesex have been breathing down our necks over the past few weeks and they are two very good teams.”

Middlesex completed victory over Derbyshire but cannot catch Sussex.

However they could well need a win when they visit Hove from next Thursday – with Sussex looking to secure the title.

Farbrace said: “At the moment, I am not thinking beyond getting a nice cold beer and putting my feet up. We will see what happens next week.

“We went to Bangalore in pre-season and had a fantastic period there, bringing the team closer together.

“They are a close-knit bunch who enjoy each other’s success and I have enjoyed seeing that.

“All of us who have come in have been made to feel very welcome from the start.

“It is traditionally a family club and a lot of people are starting to feel that is coming back.”