YORKSHIRE’S hopes of promotion from Division Two of the Vitality County Championship took a hit yesterday, as they lost a rollercoaster encounter to Sussex by 21 runs.

In a low-scoring affair at Hove, Yorkshire lost after being bowled out for 161 just after 5pm on the penultimate day, chasing a gettable 183 to win.

It was tough on opener Adam Lyth, who batted brilliantly to score 73, but none of his teammates managed to even reach 20, so his lone hand was not enough.

Yorkshire started the game well, after winning the toss and electing to field.

George Hill (4-22) and Ben Coad (3-37) kept things tight and took wickets, as Sussex were dismissed for 150 inside 45 overs.

And while Yorkshire struggled at times in their reply too, an excellent 67 from England international Joe Root helped them score 195 in reply, meaning a potentially crucial 45-run lead in a game which was clearly favouring the bowlers.

Coad took another three wickets in the Sussex second innings, but he suffered a back injury towards the end of the second day and looks set to be ruled out for a period of time.

It gets worse, as his fellow fast bowlers Matt Milnes and Mickey Edwards are due to miss the rest of the season due to stress fractures of the back and foot respectively.

The pressure now will be on the likes of Hill and Jordan Thompson to take wickets.

They did just that in the Sussex second innings at the weekend, taking three wickets each as the hosts were bowled out for 227.

That was probably more than Yorkshire were happy with given they had reduced Sussex to 160-7, but the lower order dug in well to support a superb knock of 86 from Tom Alsop, who had been bowled off a Dom Leech no ball while on 39.

Sussex’ recovery job left Yorkshire chasing that aforementioned 183 to win, and they were floundering at lunch on day three at 45-4.

But Lyth ploughed on, and got some help in the middle order from James Wharton, Jonny Tattersall and Matthew Revis.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Adam Lyth scored more boundaries in Yorkshire's second innings (9) than the rest of his teammates put together (8).Adam Lyth scored more boundaries in Yorkshire's second innings (9) than the rest of his teammates put together (8). (Image: Ray Spencer.)

None of them went big, but they combined in useful partnerships with the opener to take Yorkshire up to 158-6.

But when Lyth was caught behind off a vicious bouncer from England Test seamer Ollie Robinson (4-42), the visitors caved in.

Robinson dismissed Thompson and Leech for ducks, meaning Revis and the injured Coad had to put on 25 for the last wicket to win.

That did not come to pass, with poor Coad run out for a duck as Yorkshire suffered a 21-run defeat, taking a miserable three points from the game in the process.

After four draws and two defeats in their opening six games, the White Rose county sit third bottom in the standings, though they will also drop below Northamptonshire when they finish their game against Derbyshire later today.

Meanwhile, the 18 points Sussex accrued for this victory puts them comfortably top of the table, though that gap should close significantly given second-placed Middlesex look set to beat Glamorgan later today.