Yorkshire's batsmen backed up the good work of their bowlers to establish a fairly strong position at the close of the second day of their LV= County Championship Division One match against Sussex at Hove today.

Replying to the home side's 292, Andrew Gale's team were 246-4 at stumps, a deficit of just 46 runs, and the title-chasing white-rose batsmen will be looking for a substantial total tomorrow.

New Zealand's Kane Williamson made a patient 80 not out and shared a high-quality second-wicket stand of 164 with opener Adam Lyth, who made 93.

However, the final session brought disappointment for the visitors.

Lyth was caught dabbing at spinner Ashar Zaidi, and Gale then made 28 before edging former Farsley bowler James Anyon to wicket-keeper Ben Brown.

Further disappointment for Yorkshire came when Jonny Bairstow was bowled for eight, driving loosely at Anyon.

In the first session, Lyth and Williamson recovered from the loss of Phil Jaques' wicket and were well placed at 71-1 at lunch.

Jaques was lbw to a full-length ball from Steve Magoffin after impressing in an innings of 21, but the second-wicket pair saw off the new ball and took their side to a secure position at the first interval.

At that stage, Lyth was unbeaten on 31 and Williamson was 17 not out.

Both had played with increasing confidence on what looked to be a fairly flat pitch.

The Yorkshire pair added 95 runs in the afternoon session from 32 overs without losing a wicket as the five-man Sussex attack failed to induce more than a couple of loose shots.

Then pair went into tea with the score on 166-1, just 126 in arrears with nine wickets in hand.

Lyth looked in particularly good form on 80 not out, hitting eight fours in getting to a 114-ball 50.

Williamson took one ball less to reach his half-century and was 58 not out at the second interval.

Earlier in the day, Ryan Sidebottom had trapped Sussex's last man Lewis Hatchett lbw for 21 to finish with 4-50.