Sussex lost their captain Ed Joyce but staged an impressive recovery through an unbeaten Mike Yardy century and a career-best 92 by Chris Jordan on the second day of the LV County Championship Division Two match against Derbyshire at Derby.

Captain Ed Joyce was forced to return home for what Sussex described as a ''family matter'' and may not play again in the game but in his absence, his team fought back from 109-5 to close on 328-8, a lead of 105 despite Mark Footitt's 5-104.

The home side were well placed to take a first innings lead after they were bowled out for 223 but they dropped both Jordan and Yardy who added 179 from 199 balls - a Sussex sixth wicket record against Derbyshire Jordan missed out on a hundred but it was still a memorable day for the all-rounder who struck in the fourth over of the morning to take his third wicket when Ross Whiteley edged to third slip.

Richard Johnson and Jon Clare made sure the home side banked a batting point by adding 52 in 14 overs before James Anyon bowled Clare and Tim Groenewald in consecutive balls.

His chances of a hat-trick were delayed until Derbyshire's second innings when Footitt was caught off bat and pad pushing forward to Monty Panesar after he had lofted the England spinner over long on for six.

Sussex got off to a flier with Luke Wells plundering some loose bowling from Footitt but the paceman responded by removing both openers on the stroke of lunch.

Wells had hit five fours in his 23 but edged Footitt to second slip and acting captain Chris Nash fell to a rash pull which he top-edged to backward square leg.

Footitt struck again when Rory Hamilton-Brown was lbw playing across the line and Clare held a stunning diving return catch to remove Joe Gatting with the total on 79.

When Ben Brown fell to another fine catch, Sussex were struggling, but Yardy and Jordan counter-attacked to regain the initiative. Jordan edged Footitt into his stumps without dislodging the bails while Yardy was spilled on 87, but Derbyshire could not build-up any pressure.

Jordan was hit in the neck when he missed a pull before rain delayed play until 6.20pm but he was denied a century by a lifter from Tim Groenewald which he edged to second slip.

Footitt then removed Steve Magoffin and Anyon but Panesar stayed with Yardy who was unbeaten on 121 when play finally ended at 7.21pm with Sussex on top.