Jack Leaning fell agonisingly short of claiming his first championship century in only this third match of the season as Yorkshire attempted to establish a match-winning lead against Sussex at Arundel.

Resuming the third morning on a career-best 75 with Yorkshire trailing by 108 runs on 208 for three, Leaning fell for 99 after being dismissed by a brilliant reflex return catch by off-spinner James Tredwell.

Aaron Finch also fell cheaply to leave Yorkshire on 274-5, still trailing by 42 runs, at lunch on the third day as they attempt to accelerate and attempt to force victory.

The 20-year-old batsman from York fell attempting to drive back down the pitch having batted for over five hours and hit 12 fours, adding 125 in 41.4 overs with Jonny Bairstow.

He looked devastated as he made his way back to the Arundel dressing rooms but got a standing ovation from the crowd during a morning session that was briefly interrupted by a rain shower.

His dismissal brought Finch, Yorkshire’s big-hitting Australian, to the crease but his attempts to force the pace back-fired when Magoffin trapped him lbw for three only three overs after Leaning’s demise.

Bairstow, however, reached an unbeaten 69 at lunch while Tim Bresnan was on three with Yorkshire hoping to press on during the remainder of the day in an attempt to force victory.