Kent 214 (Crawley 84, Stanley 4-61) and 142 for 3 (Northeast 48*) beat Lancashire 161 (Ahmed 5-42, Milnes 4-28) and 192 (Jones 54) by seven wickets

Kent remain firmly in the Rothesay County Championship promotion race after they beat Lancashire by seven wickets at Canterbury on Thursday.

Needing just 56 to win at the start of play, having resumed on 84 for 2, they coasted home after just 18.3 overs on day three, finishing on 142 for 3.

Kent were 84 for 2 when play began at midday, chasing 140 to win, after a 90-minute delay due to rain.

Although Muyeye hit James Anderson’s first ball of the day through cover for four, Lancashire didn’t make it easy for the home side. Muyeye was out to Bailey in the fourth over of the session, but with so few runs to defend they stood little realistic chance.

The biggest round of applause of the day came when it was announced the scheduled lunch interval would be delayed until there was a result and during the extension Bell-Drummond cracked Balderson for four to seal the victory.