Northants hold on to deny Sussex opening win

Vitality County Championship Division Two , 1st Central County Ground, Hove (fourth day) Northamptonshire 371: Procter 92; Seals 4-86 and 170-9: Keogh 55, Procter 41; Coles 3-36Sussex 478-December 9: Haines 133, Coles 78, Hudson-Prentice 73, Carson 61; Zaib 4-84Sussex (15 pts) draw with Northants (13 pts)Match scorecard

McManus struck for an hour as four partners came and went and Northants fell to 170-9.

But, with Northants ahead by 63, referees Paul Baldwin and Surendiran Shanmugam decided that it was too dark, even for the effects - and the hands. were rocked to a draw,

The loss of over 100 overs in the match finally ended proved decisive but Sussex I received a lot of encouragement after running most of the time, especially the last two days.

After establishing a first innings lead of 107 before declaring 478-9, they reduced Northants at 57- 4.

Skipper Luke Procter (41) calmed Northants' nerves before the arm spinner left James Coles does not revive the Sussex h.. .