Kent Spitfires lost their unbeaten NatWest Pro40 record with a 25-run defeat by Lancashire Lightning on the Duckworth/Lewis method in a rain-affected contest at Old Trafford on Sunday.

They stay top-of-the-table, a point clear with two games left.

Acting captain Justin Kemp won the toss and top-scored with 44 off 51 balls in a total of 162. They lost Sam Northeast (pictured) (10) early on to a fine catch by Paul Horton, and the Spitfires struggled slipping from 75-2 to 93-6 in the space of five overs, before Kemp’s late flurry boosted their score.

Azhar Mahmood opened with two maidens, but Lancashire opener Paul Horton cracked nine fours, in his 57-ball knock of 51, to put his side well ahead of the rate. They reached 80-1 in the 18 over, before umpires Neil Mallender and David Millns took the players off, forcing an early finish.

Spitfires complete their season at home, against Warwickshire Bears on Sunday and Northamptonshire Steelbacks on Sunday, September 27.