IT was a familiar tale for Worcestershire as they were once more unable to turn a strong position into a win in their County Championship match at Sussex.

They had to settle for a draw in the end as Tom Alsop's unbeaten century ensured Sussex frustrated their visitors, who could not capitalise on the final day of the contest.

Sussex began day four 39/1 in reply to Worcestershire's 438/5, leading by 179, but despite taking two wickets in the morning session, Sussex rallied to 152/3 at lunch.

All the while Alsop was nudging his own score up past his 100 and as his innings wore on, Worcestershire's chances ebbed away as the captains eventually shook hands on the draw after tea.

Worcestershire has given themselves a sniff of victory towards the end of day three following Jake Libby's double century, declaring on 438/5, a lead of 210.

An early wicket in the Sussex innings before the close also enhanced their chances.

The day was only minutes old on Thursday when Josh Tongue sent Bradley Currie's wickets flying with a corker of a ball to give the away side a good start.

Ali Orr and Alsop added 38 runs between them before the former was trapped LBW for 48 to leave the hosts 88/3.

But in came Tom Clark and he stabilised the innings with Alsop, who was now well in his stride and heading past his half century as lunch was reached with the hosts 152/3.

Clark then went for 36, caught by Gareth Roderick off the bowling of Dillon Pennington, towards the start of the afternoon session but that was as good as it got for Worcestershire.

Alsop reached his century and wicketkeeper Oli Carter partnered him for the remainder of the session with six wickets still in hand for Sussex at 259/4 and now leading by 41 runs.

The new ball was taken after tea by Brett D'Oliveira and despite Leach's best efforts, there was to be no further breakthrough and the pair of Alsop and Carter remained unbeaten.

It was a game that was blighted by the rain in the opening two days of the contest and without the disruption, Worcestershire will feel that would hav ehad the better of Sussex but it was not to be and they had to contend with 12 points.