Ashar Zaidi enhanced his claims for a permanent contract at Sussex as he took four wickets on debut to put a dent in Yorkshire’s title hopes.

Zaidi, playing first class cricket for the first time since 2009, took 4-57 as Yorkshire were bowled out for 326 in their first innings having resumed in a strong position of 246-6.

Yorkshire then reduced Sussex to 48-2 in their second innings before they suffered more frustration as play came to a premature end due to bad light.

With rain having delayed the start until 2.10pm it meant only 42 overs were possible in the day and reduced the chances of Yorkshire claiming the win they need to close the gap on division one leaders Durham on the final day tomorrow.

Yorkshire knew they had to step up the tempo a bit after losing the entire morning session to the weather if they were to have any chance of forcing a result.

Their progress was not helped by losing Kane Williamson without adding to his overnight score of 80 as he was trapped lbw by James Anyon.

Steve Magoffin finally got some reward for another superb spell when he had nightwatchman Steven Patterson caught behind for 11.

Zaidi then picked up three of the last four wickets to fall as Durham attempted to take the attack to the Pakistani spinner after reaching 300 to secure a third batting point.

Gary Ballance was caught by Matt Prior as he top edged an attempted sweep, Adil Rashid lobbed a catch to Magoffin at mid-on and Liam Plunkett was stumped after giving Zaidi the charge.

Lewis Hatchett took his only wicket of the game when he took out Ryan Sidebottom’s middle stump with a yorker meaning Yorkshire had gone from 246-4 to 326 all out – a lead of 34.

It was only the third time Zaidi had taken four wickets in a first class match and was not far off his previous best of 4-50 for Islamabad.

Sussex’s second innings got off to the worst possible start as Luke Wells was bowled for a three-ball duck by Sidebottom.

Sussex were still trailing by one run when Mike Yardy slapped a catch to cover off the bowling of Plunkett to depart for 15 with the score on 33-2.

Yorkshire were forced to bring on their spinners as the light faded and the umpires eventually took the players off with 14 overs left in the day with Sussex 14 ahead on 48-2.