Durham in control at Arundel

While the ancient oaks and sycamores presided regally over the action, wickets tumbled until Sussex's lack of bowling allowed Durham to re-establish control.

They were in danger of squandering a first innings lead of 100 when they crashed to 13 for four, but the absence of any support for Steve Magoffin saw Scott Borthwick and Gordon Muchall share a stand of 118.

Although Borthwick was bowled by fellow leg-spinner Luke Wells' googly for 74, Muchall remained unbeaten on 66 out of 168 for six.

It was the latest in a remarkable series of transformations as 12 wickets fell in the first half of the day and only two in the second.

Durham fans delighted in the sight of Chris Rushworth passing 50 first-class wickets halfway through the season on his way to six for 49.

Four of his first five victims were bowled, then Magoffin splattered the stumps twice in a spell of four for two in 15 balls.

All but two of the wickets fell from the castle end, where the assistance provided by variable bounce and seam movement was expertly exploited by Rushworth and Magoffin.

While the Durham fans who have made the pilgrimage enjoyed the sunshine and the cricket from their deckchairs, it is doubtful whether any availed themselves of the large glasses of Pimm's available at £7.50. But the two ice cream vans prospered.

Durham's recovery was undoubtedly helped by the fact that Ajmal Shahzad's role in the match had been reduced to batsman only after he joined a casualty list which includes Chris Jordan, James Anyon and Lewis Hatchett, while Ollie Robinson and Matt Hobden are reported to be rested.

Tim Linley, on loan from Surrey, never looked like repeating his success of the first innings until he bowled Ryan Pringle for 15 late in the day.

When Sussex brought on Luke Wright first change the door was ajar for Durham to begin their recovery.

Borthwick had a slice of luck on 18, when an attempted pull off Wright flew over the slips, otherwise he played with skill and assurance.

The revival gathered pace when Magoffin rested after a spell of 8-4-13-4 and when he returned after tea his threat was greatly reduced. Borthwick drove him elegantly through extra cover before a swivel-pull took him to 50 off 70 balls.

Despite the sort of predicament which would once have had him jumping around the crease, Muchall played confidently from the outset.

There was an effortless quality about his timing, especially when he advanced to chip left-arm spinner George Dockrell over long-on for six. He knuckled down to ensure he completed his second half-century of the match but allowed himself a second six off Wells just before the close.

Rushworth now has 53 first-class wickets for the season, including his brace for the MCC against Yorkshire in Abu Dhabi and five against Durham University.

After bowling both openers the previous evening, he also bowled Chris Nash and Ajmal Shahzad with balls which nipped back, and induced two edged catches.

Although Rushworth was in a class of his own, Durham's four-man seam battery gave them a big advantage, even though Paul Coughlin had to retire with a hand injury after five impressive overs.

Graham Onions' two victims were caught at mid-wicket, where Keaton Jennings leapt to his left to pull off a remarkable one-handed catch to get rid of Matt Machan.

In contrast to Durham scoring 147 runs on the first morning, Sussex were rendered almost strokeless by disciplined bowling and a lot of their runs went to third man.

Ed Joyce had made 13 off 57 balls when he edged John Hastings through third slip for four and in the Australian's next over the left-hander guided a more controlled shot to the same boundary.

But Durham had posted two gullies for Joyce for most of the morning and it appeared Hastings had set him up nicely as the next ball was banged in a little harder and he poked it straight to Jennings.

That was a key wicket and only the on-loan Dockrell, with an unbeaten 37, provided resistance as 66 were added for the last two wickets to take Sussex to 201.

Durham's second innings was in disarray in the first over as both openers edged catches off Magoffin, who looked almost unplayable in his first three overs.

His best ball was a perfect leg-cutter which took out Paul Collingwood's middle stump before Michael Richardson shaped to drive and got an inside edge into his timber.

But there was to be no repeat of Durham's capitulation at Lord's and, with the lead currently on 268, they should go on to wrap up their sixth win from eight and consolidate top spot.