Sam Northeast’s maiden first class century could not stop Kent suffering an innings defeat against Gloucestershire in the LV County Championship Division 2 on Friday.

Opener Northeast carried his bat for 128 but, with the exception of skipper Rob Key who made 46, Kent’s other batsmen were unable to make an impact.

An unbeaten 60 from tailender Simon Cook was the highlight of Kent’s first innings total of 264.

Key (50) and Geraint Jones (44) had shared an 81-run second-wicket stand to give Kent a solid start, before Alex Blake weighed in with 47. Cook then contributed a quickfire knock which included 10 fours and two sixes.

Gloucetsershire showed dominant form with the bat with James Franklin (104 retired) and Steve Adshead (114) putting on 144 for the fifth wicket, before they were finally all out for 552.

Northeast and Key shared a 101 stand for the first Kent wicket in their second innings, but they were all out for 265. Northeast’s knock came from 157 balls and included 23 fours.