Azhar Mahmood and Joe Denly's heroics were not enough to prevent Kent's second consecutive LV= County Championship defeat on Friday.

The hosts fell to a 45-run defeat against Gloucestershire despite threatening to pull off a memorable last day run-chase.

Chasing 291 to win, Kent resumed on 52 for 2, Martin Van Jaarsveld and Geraint Jones safely negotiating the first hour's play with few alarms.

But the second half of the morning session belonged well and truly to the visitors.

Kent lost four wickets for just 10 runs in the space of 11 balls.

Geraint Jones was the first to fall as he was bowled by seamer David Payne for 40, Darren Stevens came and went in the next over for just three, before Van Jaarsveld (32) and Tredwell (1) fell in consecutive balls to leave Kent reeling at 123 for 6.

After lunch, debutant Adam Ball and Azhar Mahmood stemmed the tide until Ball was caught by Jon Lewis off Ian Saxelby for a patient 13. Mahmood was the only recognised batsmen left with Joe Denly nursing a fractured right thumb sustained on the first day of the match.

Simon Cook and Mahmood fuelled hopes of a roaring fightback with a 70-run partnership for the eighth wicket.

But when Cook (22) and Robbie Joseph (3) were caught behind off Will Gidman in quick succession, Kent still needed 63 more runs to win.

To the surprise of many around the ground, Denly came out to bat through the pain and discomfort. He bravely managed seven off 14 balls, including one boundary as hopes of a home win were revived.

After adding 18 runs between them, Mahmood was the last man out for a spirited 70. Will Gidman trapped the all-rounder leg before to dismiss Kent for 245.