Delray Rawlins claimed a second innings wicket to help put Sussex in a strong position going into the final day of their Specsavers County Championship match against Gloucestershire in Bristol.

Sussex, sixth in the standings, are hoping to get back into promotion contention with two matches remaining. They dominated the third day to restrict their opponents to 197 for six at the close after posting 370 for a first innings lead of 170. Gloucestershire are now just 27 runs ahead with only four second-innings wickets in hand, with much depending on seventh-wicket pair Ryan Higgs and Jack Taylor when they resume on the final day on 24 and ten respectively.

Only captain Chris Dent made a major contribution in the second innings, scoring 72 at the top of the order where he watched partners depart through soft dismissals as James Bracey, Gareth Roderick and Miles Hammons all fell to bad shots.

Rawlins took Hammond’s wicket after he played a big shot against the spinner and edged a catch to slip to Chris Jordan after scoring just ten. Rawlins bowled eight overs, giving up 32 runs for his lone wicket.

Rawlins was denied a second wicket in the first over after tea, when Jordan put down a sharp chance at slip off Ben Charlesworth. He was on two at the time and went on to make 15 off 60 balls.

The day ended ten overs early because of bad light, with Sussex hoping to force home their advantage on the final day.

“If you’d have offered us this position at the start of the day, we would definitely have taken it,” said Sussex captain David Wiese. “If we can finish the job we’ll put ourselves in a good position to challenge for a promotion spot. We’re coming into a bit of form at just the right time.”