OFF-spinner Mark Davis claimed the vital wickets of Anurag Singh and Graeme Hick to lead Sussex's victory bid over Worcestershire on a turning Horsham wicket.

But the outcome of the Division Two clash was finely balanced today as Worcestershire, set 327 to win, go into the final day requiring a further 154 having reached 173 for three.

England 'A' batsman Vikram Solanki and David Leatherdale batted in disciplined fashion after South African-born Davis sent back Singh (43) and Hick (13) in successive overs to reduce Worcestershire to 103 for three.

Davis struck in the fourth over after tea to have Singh caught at silly point and Hick was then caught behind off a top edge as he attempted to sweep.

Singh and Phil Weston had got Worcestershire off to a solid start by composing an opening stand of 66 in 17 overs before Weston (20) was trapped leg before playing half forward by Mark Robinson.

Solanki and Leatherdale, both out cheaply in the first innings, took no chances in the early evening sunshine to revive their side's hopes with an unfinished fourth-wicket stand of 70.

Davis had earlier hit a season's best undefeated 43 as Sussex, resuming on 242-4, batted on until 35 minutes after lunch to post 372.

Davis compiled eight boundaries from 87 balls and shared in an eighth-wicket stand of 38 in seven overs with Umer Rashid who made 38.

Rashid went on to frustrate Worcestershire after receiving a let off on only three when dropped at short leg by Kadeer Ali off left-arm spinner Matthew Rawnsley.

Alamgir Sheriyar, who finished with 4-83 for a match haul of 8-136, ended Rashid's 75-ball innings by having him caught behind down the leg side.

Rawnsley completed a good spell by claiming three of the last six wickets to fall.