Kent Spitfires continued their strong end to the season with a 14-run victory over Sussex Sharks in the Clydesdale Bank 40 at Hove on Tuesday.

After being bowled out for 216, Kent removed Sussex for 202 after the home side had looked to be cruising to victory on 76 without loss after 10 overs.

But the Sharks then suffered a collapse, losing four wickets for seven runs in three overs. Ed Joyce, who dominated the opening stand with Chris Nash with a 34-ball 49, was caught behind off Darren Stevens and in the next over Martin van Jaarsveld (pictured) ran out Lou Vincent.

Stevens then had Nash leg before and Sussex were 83-4 when Murray Goodwin sliced Adam Ball to backward point.

Michael Yardy and Joe Gatting again turned the game towards the Sharks with a fifth-wicket stand of 50 in nine overs. But Gatting was run out by James Tredwell for 34, Ben Brown was caught behind, and Yardy was stumped for 23.

Against tight Kent fielding, and some clever off-spin from Adam Riley, it was too much for the late order, even though Wayne Parnell hit 40.

Earlier Kent had chosen to bat on a pitch with some nip and bounce and their best innings came from in-form Azhar Mahmood, whose 58 from 53 balls included eight fours and a six.

However, the remaining key Kent players failed to fire. Stevens (10) was leg before to Michael Yardy and van Jaarsveld was caught at long-off for 31 when he tried to push up the scoring rate. Six wickets fell for 65 runs, as Monty Panesar and Parnell finished with three wickets apiece.

Kent, all out for 216 to the last ball of the 40th over, were underdogs at that stage but fought back with the ball to secure an impressive victory.