BRYDON Carse's maiden half-century gave Durham a lead of 39 in their home match against Sussex, who went back in front by reaching 53 without loss in their second innings at lunch.

Resuming on 21, South Africa-born Carse looked a class player as he scored 20 of the 25 runs Durham needed to wipe out the deficit and progressed beyond his previous best of 47.

He picked up both Stuart Whittingham and George Garton behind square for six and was unbeaten on 61 when Durham were all out for 385.

Graham Clark moved on from his overnight 73 to 88 before he shuffled into a ball from Chris Jordan which skidded on to have him lbw, ending a seventh-wicket stand of 84.

Without addition James Weighell was also lbw, playing across a full-length ball from Garton, and when the impressive Jordan rested it took only one gentle loosener for Ollie Robinson to complete a five-wicket haul.

Chris Rushworth clipped it straight to square leg but Robinson, who had a sore side last evening, bowled just the one over.

Whittingham, who had conceded 96 in 18 overs, returned and picked up his only wicket when last man Graham Onions spooned the fifth ball to extra cover.

Luke Wells and Harry Finch had 11 overs to bat before lunch and the only scare came when Finch, on 13, edged Onions just short of third slip.