WORCESTERSHIRE are facing an uphill battle to avoid their first Specsavers County Championship defeat on the final day against Sussex at Hove.

The County look to be slipping towards defeat despite two sterling contributions from opener Daryl Mitchell.

Worcestershire followed on 267 runs behind despite a record-breaking double century opening stand between Mitchell (121) and Brett D’Oliveira (80) after losing 10 wickets for just 93 runs in 27 overs.

In their second innings, Mitchell made another 54 before being dismissed as Worcestershire closed on 124-4 from 43 overs.

Worcestershire, who have won their opening four Championship matches, resumed on 139-0 and Mitchell and D’Oliveira advanced their first innings partnership to 215.

The duo surpassed Worcestershire’s previous best opening partnership against Sussex of 181 by CF Walters and HHIH Gibbons at Eastbourne in 1933.

Mitchell, who was on 85 overnight, went to three figures - off 158 balls with a six and 18 fours - with a single off David Wiese.

D’Oliveira completed his half century off the following ball from 131 deliveries.

He had a let off on 58 when Will Beer at backward point put down a chance off Wiese and then when on 70 was given out lbw to Vernon Philander but then recalled after the two umpires conferred.

The stand was broken as Mitchell on 121 top edged a catch to long leg off Wiese and then D’Oliveira (80) flicked the same bowler off his legs to deep square leg.

Wickets then tumbled at regular intervals with Tom Fell (6) pouched by Chris Jordan at slip off Stiaan van Zyl before lunch which was taken at 228-3.

Clarke (22) pulled Jofra Archer into the hands of deep mid wicket, falling to a good low catch, and Ben Cox (12) edged Philander to slip.

Ross Whiteley (3) lost his middle stump to Archer and Ed Barnard (22) was lbw to Philander.

Joe Leach (6) went in the same manner to Archer who also had Jack Shantry (16) caught behind either side of Josh Tongue (0) being caught at backward point off Philander.

Worcestershire followed on 267 behind and D’Oliveira (12) departed to a catch at slip by Jordan off Wiese with 26 on the board.

Fell (22) looked to be finding some form and added 64 in 15.1 overs with Mitchell before he lobbed up a catch to mid on off Jordan.

Clarke (10) was bowled via the inside edge by Jordan and Mitchell’s defiance ended when lbw to van Zyl on 54.

Tongue and Cox saw the County through to stumps without any further setbacks.