YORKSHIRE put themselves within touching distance of a record-breaking 11th County Championship win of the season as Jack Brooks led the way against Sussex.

Brooks took his career first-class wicket tally to 300 as he helped reduce the visitors – who need to avoid defeat if they are to survive relegation from Division One – to 88-5 at lunch.

Having opted against declaring on their overnight score of 298-9, Yorkshire added seven runs in nine deliveries before Tim Bresnan (55) holed out to long-on off Steve Magoffin.

That left Sussex a target of 309 in a minimum of 92 overs – but they made the worse possible start as captain Ed Joyce (1) inside-edged a full toss from Brooks onto his own stumps.

Having been elevated up the order to open, Chris Jordan (20) played some eye-catching strokes but he was trapped lbw by Brooks before the former Northamptonshire seamer had Matt Machan (16) caught behind in his next over.

Chris Nash (17) fared little better as he was bowled by Bresnan before the same bowler dismissed Luke Wright (2), with Jonny Bairstow taking the catch behind.

Michael Yardy – playing in his final match before retirement – held firm to see his side through to the interval alongside Ben Brown, with Sussex needing another 221 to pull off an unlikely win.