Joe Denly cut a dejected figure after falling narrowly short of a century three years to the day after last reaching three figures in championship cricket.

Denly cracked an unbeaten 134 for Middlesex against Worcestershire on May 5, 2012, but on Tuesday afternoon came within 13 runs of ending the wait for another ton when he was trapped leg before against Leicestershire by one which kept low from Ben Raine.

His departure after more than four-and-a-half hours in the middle, during which he faced 214 balls, left the 29-year-old disappointed.

Denly said: “I felt in pretty good touch most of the innings and was made to work hard for every run. It was a case of grafting.

“Sometimes when teams bowl well at you, you have to hang in there, stick it out and runs will come, that was the case. It was just disappointing not to go on and get a big one.”

The half-century was the second in successive games for the opener, who returned to his home county over the winter after three seasons away.

He added: “I’m seeing it all right at the minute. I’m feeling good and spending as much time out in the middle as possible is key to that. I’m enjoying it.

“It could have been my first hundred back at Kent. Myself or Sam (Northeast) could have, probably should have, done it. It was disappointing to get out so close to each other.

“It’s been a while since I’ve scored that hundred and something I’m looking to put right. It was a good opportunity, hopefully next time around I’ll be able to do that.”

Kent skipper Rob Key backed Denly to thrive, adding: “I thought Joe was unlucky.

“He got the first one of the match which kept low and went on to be straight.

“I said to him, I don’t think he missed out on anything, I think they just bowled well. He had to be at his best.

“I also thought against Lancashire he looked good and it’s pleasing to see him playing well and showing what a class act he is. I’m sure there’s a big score around the corner.”