Derbyshire batsman Greg Smith looks for runs against Kent Picture: Laura Page (Derby Telegraph)

Darren Stevens and Azhar Mahmood's fifth wicket stand of 83 in seven overs blasted Kent Spitfires to a third successive win beating Derbyshire Phantoms by four wickets with 10 balls to spare at Chesterfield on Sunday maintaining their hopes of winning the last NatWest Pro40 Division Two title.

Stevens (52) and Azhar (51) both hit rapid half centuries, Stevens hitting three sixes and three fours off 28 balls, and Mahmood three sixes and four fours from 23 balls, but both were out in successive balls to Dan Redfern, leaving James Tredwell and Paul Dixey to hit the winning runs as Kent finished on 260-6.

Youngster Alex Blake (pictured) also had a starring role, hitting nine fours and three sixes in a one-day best of 80 from 70 balls, before being fourth out at 171 with 10 overs left, and 89 still needed, before Stevens and Mahmood took over.

Derbyshire skipper Chris Rogers dominated the Phantoms innings early on with 88, before John Sadler with 34 off 17 balls, and Tim Groenewald (22 from 11) saw them add 75 off the last six overs to finish on 259-8, with 25 extras including 19 wides.

Phil Edwards finished with 3-57, while Mahmood (1-60) conceded 43 off his last 15 deliveries.