Somerset's Charl Willoughby admits victory at Hove made a 17-day road trip more than worthwhile.

The South African paceman claimed four key second innings wickets to help beat Sussex by 35 runs in a highly entertaining County Championship Division One match.

When Willoughby had Robin Martin-Jenkins caught in the gully by an ecstatic Marcus Trescothick to clinch the success, he shook hands with both batsmen – reprising Andrew Flintoff in the 2005 Ashes – before joining the wild celebrations.

Somerset's squad left home on June 3 and have since played two Twenty20 ties (won one, lost one) and three Championship games (drawn one and now won two).

"Mentally and physically the boys have taken a bit of strain, missing families and just not being in your own bed," said the veteran. "It's been a tough two-and-a-half weeks, but when the results start going your way it makes it worth it."

Wickets had not come Willoughby's way too regularly this season until last week's win at Yorkshire.

"We have played away which helps!" smiled Willoughby. "I felt I have bowled quite well in all our four-dayers so far although the one-day games haven't gone my way.

"It's always hard work to get wickets at Taunton, but two wins out of three on the road is great for us.

"We are in a similar position in the table to last year and we just have to hope we can keep improving and push on.."

Skipper Justin Langer admitted to nerves ahead of the final day when Sussex needed 180 more runs to reach a huge fourth innings target of 349 with six wickets in hand.

The pitch remained as flat as it had been on day one when Somerset put on 138 for the first wicket.

Sussex's lower order was unusually strong, but Willoughby's 4-80 and 3-99 from Alfonso Thomas ensured Somerset's dream of a first title is very much still alive.

However, the early signs were not good as nightwatchman Jason Lewry added 60 in 14 overs with Chris Nash.

The left-hander made 25 with 4 fours before he fended at a bouncer from David Stiff and edged onto his stumps.

The next over saw Nash (134) depart to a superb catch from wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter who changed direction and dived full length to his left to latch onto a fast inside edge.

And it was 227-7 when Andrew Hodd (2) fatally played no shot at an inswinger and was sent on his way lbw to give Thomas his second wicket of the morning.

James Hildreth passed up the chance to run Dwayne Smith out for four when he missed with a throw from mid-off to the non-striker's end.

But the eighth wicket fell soon after when Arul Suppiah pulled off his second great catch of the match, leaping high to hold a stunning two handed grab in the gully to dismiss Luke Wright for 11.

And Willoughby was celebrating again on the stroke of lunch when umpire Steve Garratt instantly raised his finger when he rapped Smith (24) high on the pad.

Sussex still needed 79 but Martin-Jenkins and Piyush Chawla (27 from 24 balls) made Somerset sweat by adding 43 in six overs until the big man from Keynsham had the final say.