Middlesex have been bowled out for 169 by Sussex on the first day of their County Championship match at Lord’s.

With the home side sitting in fifth place in the Division Two table, 39 points behind visitors Sussex in second place, a good result was needed to keep faint hopes of a promotion bid alive.

However, with the start delayed due to rain earlier in the morning, with unsurprisingly, an uncontested toss, as Middlesex batted, the Seaxes reached lunch at 68-4.

Opener Sam Robson fell for eight, trapped lbw by 24-year-old Ollie Robinson with the score on 27-1.

Three runs later Steve Eskinazi was out also leg before to the talented 23-year-old Barbadian, Jofra Archer.

Nick Gubbins was then removed by Sussex’s David Weiss, a former South African ODI international, caught by Hastings-born Harry Finch.

Three became four when Dawid Malan’s miserable summer continued as he departed lbw for six off Weiss.

Eoin Morgan also fell for six off the bowling of Chris Jordan, caught by Robinson with the scoreboard showing one fewer than a hundred for five wickets.

Three figures were reached but James Harris marked the milestone by falling to Robinson caught by Phil Salt to make it six wickets down.

Jordan bowled James Fuller for 17 to make it 123-7 before former Sussex man Ollie Rayner was also bowled by Jordan, for a duck with the score on 141-8.

Archer then had Ethan Bamber, who made his first class debut at Northants last time out, feathering a catch to wicketkeeper Brown at 157-9.

There was just time for Max Holden to reach a deserved half century, before he too was castled by Archer for 50 to end another disappointing showing by the home side.

With tight wins against leaders Warwickshire and Northants there is still hope, certainly under leaden skies, but not for the first time this summer Middlesex fans were left frustrated at their side failing to post an intimidating first innings score.