A career best 93 by Michael Yardy - a 21-year-old in his third season at Hove - led the way for the visitors, but in all likelihood his effort has merely slowed down Surrey’s march towards victory. With two days to go and their last pair at the crease, Sussex still require another 67 runs to avoid following-on.

Yardy, who batted for three and a half hours, shared in four frustrating stands before the visitors’ tail fell apart for the first, though surely not the last time this summer. Coming in at 67 for three, the young left-hander began circumspectly; taking 127 balls over his half-century. It was over an hour before the first signs of surefootedness were revealed, when Azhar Mahmood was despatched through mid-wicket and then clipped to the square leg boundary.

The 87 he made last year against Hampshire was overhauled in the 64th over. But, four overs later, having just been dropped by Alec Stewart off Azhar, Michael Yardy guided another short-pitched delivery from the Pakistani to gully where Ian Salisbury made up for his inconsistency with the ball.

Mark Davis, Salisbury’s main oppressor, perished two balls later when he accepted the invitation to hook and Jason Lewry, backing away, was caught behind soon afterwards. It could all have been very different, therefore, had the home side taken a couple of routine chances.

Earlier Surrey added 114 to their overnight score for the loss of four wickets before declaring, which denied the visitors the chance of a third bonus point and meant they needed 375 to avoid the follow-on.

In the tenth over of the day Nadeem Shahid was out to James Kirtley for a career best 150. The 262-run partnership he shared with Alistair Brown was the second highest overall for Surrey against Sussex.

Azhar Mahmood, wristy for the most part, endeared himself to the Surrey faithful by straight driving Paul Hutchison, one bounce, before departing to the bowling of Lewry for 16.

Tudor, who lasted no time at all, was succeeded by Martin Bicknell whose mission it was to outshine Brown. The 33-year-old all-rounder struck an unbeaten 28 off just 14 balls, including four boundaries in one over from Jason Lewry. This led to the demise of Alistair Brown, who lost his middle stump trying to emulate Bicknell.

Brown’s 177, which lasted 222 deliveries and included three sixes and 28 fours, represented his fourth highest score in first-class cricket.

Alex Tudor, effectively bowling to six slips, went for 20 runs in his first over. However, he came back immediately to claim the scalp of Richard Montgomerie, who was caught low down at third slip. In successive overs after lunch Chris Adams and Tony Cottey surrendered their wickets to the 24-year-old, who later caused Robin Martin-Jenkins to play on.

James Ormond had his moments with the ball. Like Martin Bicknell he was unlucky to see a chance in the slips go to ground. Azhar Mahmood threw himself into every delivery and showed that he carries a very good bouncer around in his toolbox.

Apart from the spurned chances, all of Surrey’s bowlers were well supported in the field. Pity, then, that 36 runs from wides and no-balls contributed to the visitors overnight total of 308 for nine.

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