MARK Wagh hit a first-class century – his first for 13 months – as second-placed Nottinghamshire took control of their County Championship Division One clash with defending champions Sussex at Hove.

The visitors effectively batted Sussex out of the match by piling up 558 for seven to lead by 219 after the first innings.

Notts' late declaration left Sussex an awkward six overs to negotiate and openers Chris Nash and Mike Yardy survived to take the hosts into the final day on seven without loss.

A draw would be sufficient to take Notts to the top of the table and they dominated the third day with Wagh and Matthew Wood (98) sharing an excellent fourth-wicket stand of 173 in 53 overs.

On a pitch offering some turn, toiling Sussex were limited to only five wickets in dull conditions.

The hosts, still coming to terms with the enforced retirement of their talismanic leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, endured a wicketless session between lunch and tea, and both Wagh and Wood were eventually removed in quick succession by James Kirtley.

Former Warwickshire batsman Wagh had compiled nine fours and two sixes in his five-and-a-half-hour vigil when he attempted a big drive off Kirtley and holed out at mid-off.

Wood, whose previous highest score this season was 77, had his century hopes wrecked as he fell leg before playing across a full-length delivery by Kirtley having struck nine fours and a six in his 190-ball innings.

Off-spinner Ollie Rayner (four for 155) had some belated success by removing Paul Franks and veteran Mark Ealham in the space of three balls.

But eighth-wicket pair Chris Read (38) and Rob Ferley (26) pushed Nottinghamshire's lead over 200 by adding a fluent 42 before the declaration.

Nottinghamshire had earlier resumed on 259 for two and Sussex were restricted to taking only one wicket before lunch with Ashwell Prince becoming a second victim for Rayner in the 13th over of the day.

Prince gloved a catch to skipper Chris Adams at slip having extended his third-wicket stand with Wagh to 65 in 23 overs.

Wagh, who had fallen three times in the 90s since hitting 152 against Northamptonshire at Northampton last July, moved to his 100th in just over four hours in impressive style.

He on-drove medium pacer Robin Martin-Jenkins for his eighth boundary having faced 203 deliveries.

Wood earlier smashed Rayner back over his head for six on the way to reaching his half-century from 96 balls.