LANCASHIRE face a tough test to avoid defeat heading into the final day of their County Championship Division One clash with Sussex despite a maiden first class 50 for Darwen’s Alex Davies.

The wicketkeeper made 57 before he fell to Luke Wright with title-winning Accrington professional Ashar Zaidi taking the catch.

Davies hit 10 fours in his knock which was the high score as the hosts crumbled to 191 all out in reply to Sussex’s 298.

Chorley’s Tom Smith continued his fine start to the season with 49 as the pair put on 82 for the sixth wicket but those two aside Lancashire struggled with the bat.

Davies had earlier taken a solitary catch in Sussex’s first innings as Michael Yardy hit 139 to hold together the visitors’ effort.

And Yardy then hit 45 in the second innings with Rory Hamilton-Brown adding 44 as Sussex scored well on day three of the match.

They closed on 216-5 and a lead of 323 meaning Lancashire will have to hang on today if they are to avoid defeat.