Kent were indebted to Mother Nature as they claimed a pink ball draw against the odds at a rampant Nottinghamshire on Thursday night.

Despite conceding a first innings deficit of 191 in their Specsavers County Championship Division day-night match at Trent Bridge and then posting the hosts a target of 75 for victory, Kent were saved by heavy rain in the midlands and the hosts never got the chance to secure a victory most would agree they deserved.

In the hour of cricket that was possible on the final day the hosts picked up the final two Kent second innings wickets, leaving themselves a meagre target, but the wet weather returned before they could face a ball.

Adam Milne and Adam Rouse ensured that the unbeaten Division 2 leaders were kept waiting, with a stand of 79 for the eighth wicket.

New Zealand paceman Milne, making his Kent debut, was eventually dismissed for 51 and Rouse was last to fall after scoring 35.

Harry Gurney returned figures of 3-63 for Notts, with Luke Fletcher and Steven Mullaney each striking twice.

Resuming on 214-7, after the first session had been lost to the weather, the visitors held only a narrow advantage of 23 as the game belatedly headed into its final act.

Hopes of an unlikely rear-guard action had taken a hit with the overnight news that Darren Stevens wouldn’t be able to return to the crease to resume his innings. The 41-year old had been struck on the helmet on the third day and had retired hurt on 31.

Milne and Rouse had already extended the contest into a fourth day and they took their stand beyond 50 before Notts took the second new pink ball.

New Zealand international Milne, who had been dismissed first ball on the opening day, reached his 50 from 87 balls, but he drove at the next delivery and nicked behind for 51.

In gloomy conditions, even with the floodlights on, last man Mitchell Claydon defied the home attack for half an hour before the innings ended with the fall of Rouse.

Having batted resolutely for 142 minutes, the Kent gloveman, changed tack and heaved Mullaney high over the midwicket rope for six. Next ball he attempted a repeat but couldn’t clear Samit Patel on the same fence.

Sensing an imminent downpour Notts rushed out Alex Hales to open the batting with Mullaney but before a ball could be bowled the rain returned and the umpires led the players from the field.

The draw was an unexpected reward for Kent, who had faced an uphill battle since the first session of the match when they had been reduced to 6-3 after becoming the first visiting side to Trent Bridge to bat first this season.

Daniel Bell-Drummond stole the show, carrying his bat for an unbeaten 84, with Sam Billings' 30 the second highest score as Kent were ousted for 180 with Aussie firebrand James Pattinson claiming 3-30 and Steven MUllaney polishing off the tail to end with 3-2 off three overs.

Mullaney also starred with the bat, amassing an imperious 168 and sharing a superb stand of 222 with Alex Hales (85) for the fourth wicket.

Matt Coles took 3-99 but the hosts were ousted for 371 and Kent were soon in trouble in the reply, slipping to 63-4.

Billings retired unbeaten on 39 on the second evening before linking up with England Lions, but after a rain-hit third day, Stevens was the only other player past 30 before he was struck on the head by a bouncer from Harry Gurney which led to hospital tests for an apparent concussion.

Rouse and Milne steered Kent through the gloom on the penultimate evening which proved pivotal as the weather came to their aid on Thursday.

After losing to Worcestershire last week Kent now turn their attentions to Monday’s home championship match against Northamptonshire at Beckenham (11am).

The eight points they take from Trent Bridge keeps them third in the table, 39 points behind the leaders, with a game in hand.