MICHAEL Brown ensured that Hampshire remain in Championship contention in soaring to the top of the county's run charts.

The opening batsman added 126 not out against Durham to his unbeaten 56 in the first innings and now has 675 runs for the season at 51.92.

Brown was left high and dry when Ottis Gibson took 10-47 in the first innings - the best figures against Hampshire for 137 years - but was relieved to see David Griffiths survive 14 deliveries at the end of a dramatic day.

It ensured a fifth draw of the season for fifth-place Hampshire, who have a game in hand on three of the sides above them.

A win against second-placed Sussex at the Rose Bowl this week will put Hampshire in a strong position to claim their first Championship crown since 1973.

If the rest of the Hampshire top order follow Brown's lead for the rest of the season, it cannot be ruled out.

After scoring his third Championship hundred of the season - Hampshire's fifth - Brown said: "I was happy with the way I played "I've made a couple of little changes to my technique - I'm always tinkering - to help with my balance and it felt good.

"I had a little bit of luck but you always need that.

"Hopefully we can all fire soon because we've got a game in hand on most of the teams above us and are only one win away from top."

Hampshire are expected to make one change to the side that drew against Durham at Chester-le-Street for the next Championship match against rivals Sussex, which starts at the Rose Bowl tomorrow.

West Indies seamer Daren Powell has been granted a work permit so will make his debut.

It will be harsh on whoever is left out.

Debutant Griffiths took match figures of 6-124 at Durham so it may come down to a choice between James Bruce and Shaun Udal, depending on the conditions.

In-form Sussex, meanwhile, have emerged from a week without a Championship match in a strong position as every other side drew in the latest round of rain-affected games.

James Kirtley stands by to replace Jason Lewry (broken toe) but with more showers forecast this week Saqlain Mushtaq is not expected to make his Championship debut.

Hampshire (from): Brown, Carberry, Crawley, Lumb, Benham, Pothas, Mascarenhas, Warne, Udal, Bruce, Griffiths, Powell.

Sussex (from): Nash, Montgomerie, Yardy, Goodwin, Adams, Hodd, Martin-Jenkins, Wright, Naved, Mushtaq Ahmed, Lewry, Kirtley, Saqlain Mushtaq.

Keep up to date with Hampshire in the Daily Echo.