A career-best 199 from Joe Denly failed to inspire Kent to victory at Derbyshire in the LV= County Championship Division 2 on Saturday.

Denly (pictured) fell one short of what would have been a magnificent double century in Kent's first innings as they reached 419 in reply to Derbyshire's 535.

But, set 298 to win on the final day, and having already lost nightwatchman Adam Riley without score the previous night, Kent fell well short when they were bowled out for 196 during the second session on Saturday.

Denly again top-scored, with 68, but his dismissal saw Kent collapse from 100-2 to 127-5 and although Darren Stevens (54) also made a quickfire half-century, Kent were all out in less than 47 overs.

In Derbyshire's first innings, Wes Durston made 118 but his dismissal was part of a mini-collapse as they went from 239-2 to 264-6. However, an unbeaten 130 by Ross Whiteley and 77 in 67 balls by Jonathan Clare helped the home side to an imposing 535 in less than 115 overs (David Balcombe 6-128).

Kent lost Daniel Bell-Drummond, Sam Northeast and Alex Blake cheaply in reply but Stevens (38) helped steady the ship and Azhar Mahmood then dominated a century stand with Denly, but fell leg before wicket for 97.

Skipper Geraint Jones' miserable run with the bat continued as he made just seven and Kent were eventually all out for 419, Denly the eighth wicket to fall - one short of a double ton.

Balcombe (3-24) again led the Kent attack in Derbyshire's second innings and his three quick wickets helped reduce them to 29-4. It needed 73 from Madsen to help the hosts to 181, with Coles (3-68) and Stevens (3-17) also among the wickets.

It was a target Kent were hoping to chase down on the final day but their struggles with the bat continue to haunt them this season and they fell well short in the end.

Where did Kent lose this game? Was it their frail batting or letting Derbyshire get past 500 in the first innings? Leave your comments below.