Leaders Kent strengthened their claims for automatic promotion from Division Two of the LV County Championship after a successful run chase against Surrey in Canterbury.

Surrey doggedly batted on until 3pm in reaching 293 all out, setting Kent a victory target of 200 from the remaining 48 overs of the match.

Kent cantered home to a maximum-points victory courtesy of Rob Key's 54-ball half-century and cameo knocks from first innings century-makers Geraint Jones and Darren Stevens as the home side secured their seventh win of the campaign with six wickets in hand and three overs to spare.