KENT could return to the top of the Frizzell Championship Division 1 table on Saturday should they bowl themselves to a last day victory in Northamptonshire.

David Fulton’s side need to take eight more Northamptonshire wickets after reducing the hosts to 39 for two at the close of day three.

Earlier, Fulton scored an excellent 109 and featured in an opening stand worth 222 with Robert Key.

The England batsman notched his third century in four innings and his fourth in all this season and was just one short of equalling his career-best when he fell for 173.

In trying to clear the ropes at long-off, Key picked out Johann Louw to bring an end to his 368-minute stay.

Fulton declared with his side on 405 for six, leaving Northamptonshire a possible 108 overs to chase 410 for victory.

The hosts were just four balls into their reply when Tim Roberts (0) shouldered arms to a quick ball from Mohammad Sami to lose his off stump.

Sami continued to trouble the home batsmen and, with three overs of the day remaining, found the outside edge of Mark Powell (13) to give Niall O’Brien a simple catch.