KENT’S grip on a National League Division 1 slot for next year weakened considerably with last night's five wicket mauling by Surrey Lions.

Spitfires’ proud record of holding a top-flight berth since the inception of two divisions is now seriously under threat after an Adam Hollioake inspired Surrey ruthlessly snatched Kent’s record of never having been beaten under lights.

As is the trend with day-night cricket, Kent batted first after winning the toss, but as has been their wont all season, they got off to a dreadful start.

Rob Key’s miserable season continued when he miscued a hook to square-leg, to compound matters, Key later chipped a finger forcing him to miss this week’s corresponding four-day game.

Former Surrey opener Michael Carberry also gave away his own wicket, chasing a wide one and at 14 for two Kent were forced to re-evaluate.

Andrew Symonds went on the counter attack smashing seven fours and a six on his way to a 42-ball half-century. But when he played across a straight one from Hollioake, then Walker played early around an in-swinger it sparked a dramatic collapse that saw the hosts lose their last seven wickets for 33 runs.

Hollioake returned career-best limited overs figures of six for 17 from just 28 balls.

Surrey’s reply also started poorly as Ian Ward ran himself out to the fifth ball and their was a glimmer of Kentish hope when Saggers yorked Ali Brown as he backed away making room to make it 22 for two.

Had Kent have taken another couple of wickets at that stage they may have stood a chance, but David Fulton missed an opportunity to introduce Muttiah Muralitharan early and Mark Ramprakash duly batted Kent out of the game.

Hollioake chipped in with a cameo 38 before falling to Amjad Khan, but Ramprakash saw Surrey to the brink of the title with an unbeaten 42.