YORKSHIRE battled hard to remain in control of their final Championship clash of the season against Sussex.

The Tykes ended the day 58 runs ahead on 55-1 in their second innings after bowling out the visitors for 248 on a record-breaking day at Headingley.

The White Rose county took their bonus points total for the match to five, meaning they have now surpassed Somerset’s total of 266 in 2007 to record the highest number of points in a single season since two divisions were introduced in 2000.

The county champions can also break the record for most wins in a season (10) should they record victory this week.

And Jack Brooks, who took his season’s tally for wickets past 60 with figures of three for 55, said the team do not have a total in mind to leave Sussex as a fourth-innings target.

“We should have had a lead of about 100 if we’d bowled properly, but we’ve still bowled a decent side out for a tiny lead,” he said.

“That means we have to bat well tomorrow and try and set the game the up then pull our fingers out again when we’re bowling.

“We’re not going to set to target – we just have to keep batting and get as many as possible

The Tykes began the day on 241-7, but lost their final three wickets in the space of just ten balls to be bowled out for 251.

Tim Bresnan (16) and Brooks (1) both fell victim to the new ball before Liam Plunkett (5) handed Steve Magoffin his fourth wicket of the innings when he picked out Ed Joyce at mid-on.

And the wickets continued to tumble in the morning session as openers Joyce and Chris Jordan both fell within the first three overs of Sussex’s reply.

Matt Machan launched a mini-revival with 26 from 27 balls before edging behind off Brooks, and Chris Nash (16) fell in similar fashion off the bowling of Bresnan.

Plunkett then had Luke Wright (21) caught by Alex Lees at first slip to reduce Sussex to 70-5, but Michael Yardy and Ben Brown launced a stunning counter-attack after lunch.

The pair added 55 in just 40 balls following the interval before Brown (39) picked out Ryan Sidebotto and long-leg off the bowling of Bresnan having just hit the paceman for six from the previous delivery.

Ashar Zaidi continued to add impetus with a quickfire 26 before being adjudged LBW to Adil Rashid and Magoffin edged his first delivery through to Jonny Bairstow off the bowling of Plunkett.

But at the other end Yardy – who is playing in his final match before retirement – continued to defy the Yorkshire bowlers until he dragged a wide delivery from Brooks onto his own stumps to depart for 70.

Final pair Lewis Hatchett (25) and Chris Liddle (10*) further frustrated Andrew Gale’s side as they added 37 for the tenth wicket before the former top-edged a sweep off Adam Lyth that Bresnan held well running back from slip.

With a lead of just three, the county champions got off to the worst possible start in their second innings as Lees offered a return catch to Jordan from his very first ball.

But Lyth (16*) and Gary Ballance (39*) showed plenty of application in seeing their team through to the close with an unbeaten stand of 55.