Sachithra Senanayake and Alexei Kervezee – spinners of contrasting pedigree – were largely responsible for Worcestershire bowling out Sussex for 290 on the third day of the LV County Championship clash at Hove.
Occasional bowler Kervezee, whose only previous two first class wickets were for Holland, dismissed the prized trio of first innings century-maker Matt Machan, in form Luke Wright and Sussex skipper Ed Joyce.
Then Sri Lankan international Senanayake took centre stage in the final session with a four wicket blast to leave Worcestershire a 247 victory target.
Kervezee finished with 3-72 from 20 overs and Senanayake 4-50 from 27 overs while Charlie Morris was the pick of the pace bowlers.
Then Worcestershire openers Daryl Mitchell (16*) and Richard Oliver (23*) reached 47-0 by the close to leave 200 more runs required tomorrow.
Morris was quickly into his stride and broke through in the third over of the morning.
Luke Wells (4) was undone by a lifting delivery and Alex Gidman at first slip held onto a sharp catch away to his right with the total 10-1.
Then Machan survived a difficult chance to Tom Fell at third slip off Morris when on four.
Morris troubled both batsmen but Joyce, who scored eight Championship centuries last season, reached his half century off 77 balls with seven fours and a six.
Kervezee came into the attack and troubled Machan immediately before trapping him lbw for 55 made off 79 balls with six fours. He added 119 in 27.1 overs with Joyce.
Morris enjoyed a second success with the second ball after lunch when Craig Cachopa was adjudged lbw for nought.
Kervezee continued to wheel away during the afternoon session and broke through again when Wright on 21 popped up a catch to Richard Oliver at short leg.
Then the 25-year-old accounted for the prized wicket of Joyce who edged to Tom Kohler-Cadmore at second slip.
Joyce's 82 had occupied 149 balls and contained seven fours and one six.
Kervezee was eventually rested after a spell of 15-1-47-3 and his replacement Shantry bowled Ben Brown for 44 with a ball that skidded on with Sussex then 233-6.
Senanayake came into his own in the final session with a four wicket burst to polish off the Sussex innings.
Zaidi (16) fell to a good tumbling catch by Fell in the leg trap and Steve Magoffin (9) lunged forward and edged to Mitchell at slip.
Tynan Mills (8) edged onto the pad and provided Fell with another catch and then Ajmal Shahzad (35) was bowled to wrap up the innings.
Worcestershire openers Daryl Mitchell and Richard Oliver made a positive start after Magoffin and Matt Hobden had taken the new ball.
Oliver picked up two boundaries in the first over from Shahzad after he came on as first change. Mitchell then turned Magoffin through mid wicket to the ropes.
