KENT are closing in on victory as they set about dismissing Middlesex for the Frizzell win that will secure second spot in the championship.

Kent secured an impressive first innings lead of 300 and by tea the visitors had reached 178 for four, still 122 behind with six wickets left after the Kent spinners bagged three wickets in the mid-session of day three.

Kent were made to wait 22 overs for a breakthrough before Simon Cusden struck with his fifth ball of the day to have Sven Koenig caught behind off an edged drive.

The slow bowlers then came to the fore, with Min Patel claiming two and Alex Loudon one.

Patel had Ben Hutton (32) caught at silly point and Owais Shah (14) caught at point after attempting to cut.

Alex Loudon then gained some extra bounce to brush the outside edge of Paul Weekes’ bat to give David Fulton a simple slip catch and make it 155 for four.

Earlier, Matthew Walker posted the third century of the innings from 173 balls and with 10 fours and a six before becoming one of the late victims falling to spin.

Attempting to sweep Jamie Dalrymple, Walker dragged his back foot to give Ben Scott a sharp stumping opportunity.

The Middlesex spinners Paul Weekes (2-91) and Dalrymple (4-66) ran through the tail thereafter with Ben Hutton taking three catches at short leg.