Kent Spitfires’ hopes of making it through to a fourth successive t20 finals days were ended by a four wicket defeat against Essex Eagles during their historic home game at The Brit Oval.

The Spitfires’ biggest t20 this season of 7,620, less than the club had originally hoped for, saw them go down in glorious sunshine on Friday night.

Having won the toss Kent elected to bat and made 171-6 from their 20 overs, a total which Essex were unable to surpass until the final over in a thrilling finale.

With skipper Rob Key ruled out for up to a month with a broken finger, James Hockley was promoted up the order to open the Kent innings with Joe Denly.

Hockley hit three quick boundaries, before he became the first wicket to fall with 27 runs on the board when he was stumped by James Foster off the bowling of Scott Styris for 18.

Martin van Jaarsveld, who took over the captaincy in Key’s absence, faced only six balls until he became Styris’ second victim when he was caught by Jaik Mickleburgh for 5.

Two run outs in successive overs saw Geraint Jones (11) and Joe Denly (35) make their way back to the pavilion, and left Kent on 73-4 after 12 overs.

Alex Blake and Darren Stevens came together and put on a 53-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Blake hit the first six of the innings, before being caught by Alastair Cook off Chris Wright for 17. Azhar Mahmood was final Kent wicket to fall when, having hit two fours from four balls faced, he was caught by Foster off Ravi Bopara for 8.

At the other end the in-form Stevens (50), back from England Lions duty, continued to score quickly. He brought up his half-century in the final over off 26 balls, including eight fours.

Bopara and Cook got the Essex reply off to a rapid start when they made 50 within the first five overs.

Bopara then departed in the following over when he was bowled by Simon Cook for 29. But when Mark Pettini entered the fray the runs continued to flow and he joined Cook for a 59-run second wicket stand.

Cook had just completed a 36-ball half-century, that included three fours and three sixes, when he was caught by Azhar Mahmood off Matt Coles for 51.

Former Kent batsman Matthew Walker was given out lbw to Cook in the next over for one, but Pettini continued to lead the Essex charge.

He eventually also fell soon after making his half-century, that had come off 33 balls and included four fours and two sixes, when he was bowled by Mahmood for 51.

Coles bowled Styris for 25 and Mahmood bowled Foster without scoring in the final over to give Kent hope, before Tim Phillips came in and hit a four off his first ball to end the Spitfires' t20 bid for another year.