An unbroken ninth-wicket partnership of 69 between Shaun Udal and Alex Morris enabled Hampshire to avoid the follow-on and a draw now seems probable at West End, Southampton.

Udal and Morris came together at 323 for eight with Hampshire still needing a further 28 to make Sussex bat again.

Both endured some shaky moments until the target was reached when Udal drove spinner Mark Davis through the covers for four. At the close in reply to the Sussex first innings total of 500 for seven declared, Hampshire had achieved a respctable 392 for eight with Udal 26 not out and Morris hitting a six and five fours in his unbeaten 41.

Hampshire began the third day at 92 for one and on an easy-paced wicket appeared to be in no danger as opener Giles White compiled his first Championship century for three years with a patient 141 in six and half hours.

Overseas signing Neil Johnson hit a fluent 60 with eleven fours to help White add 134 for the fifth wicket but from the moment Johnson was leg before to Robin Martin-Jenkins hitting across the line, Hampshire fell away from 276-3 to 323-8.

White top-edged Jason Lewry to wicket-keeper Matt Prior and Martin-Jenkins dismissed Johnson, Adrian Aymes and Dimitri Mascarenhas in 15 balls.

Martin-Jenkins got pace and lift from the wicket where others had not while Davis got through plenty of work, 51 overs in the innings for his three for 148. His best moments came in the morning session when he had Will Kendall caught at short leg and then clung on to a sharp return catch two balls later to remove Robin Smith without scoring. Hampshire are 108 behind with a day to play.

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