Kent Spitfires suffered their second Friends Provident t20 defeat losing by four wickets with two balls to spare in front of around 6,000 people at The Nevill Ground in Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday night.

England wicketkeeper Matt Prior (47) and skipper Michael Yardy (36 not out) saw Sussex Sharks home, as the holders earned their third straight South Group win.

Man-of-the-moment Darren Stevens transformed the Spitfires innings finishing 52 not out off 30 balls with two sixes and four fours and with Geraint Jones (32) and Azhar Mahmood (16), helped maintain the momentum after a slow start as they reached 163-5.

Robin Martin-Jenkins opened with a maiden, Joe Denly (5) went early, before skipper Rob Key (23) and Martin van Jaarsveld (23) added 47 for the second wicket before Jones and Stevens got going.

Martin Jenkins and former Kent overseas star Yasar Arafat were both economical but England’s Luke Wright and James Kirtley proved expensive.

Sharks needed 44 off the final six overs. Malinga Bandara picked up his first t20 wicket, bowling Chris Nash (24) and Joe Gatting (8) went in the penultimate over but Yardy, James Tredwell’s rival for the second spinner’s role in the England one-day squad, hit the winning boundary.

Spitfires are back in action on Friday, when they face Middlesex Panthers at Canterbury (5.30pm).

The visitors have lost their opening two matches in the competition.

Picture: Darren Stevens on his way to 52 not out - by Barry Goodwin