THIRD-WICKET partners David Fulton and Michael Bevan improved Kent morale with a battling partnership that took their championship clash with Middlesex into its final day.

The visitors were soon in trouble in pursuit of a mammoth victory target of 530 from a minimum 146 overs after Middlesex declared on 370 for eight.

Their low morale showed in their batting when Middlesex reduced them to 37 for two in reply.

Carberry (1) fished outside off stump for the second time in the game to edge to the keeper then Ed Smith (9) clipped one to gully to give seamer Simon Cook a second success.

But then Fulton and Bevan came together to show just how it should be done with a patient, yet enthralling century stand.

Fulton reached his half-century from 134 balls while Bevan needed 109 for his maiden 50 in Kent colours.

Earlier, Middlesex called time on their innings just after 3pm when Min Patel bowled Simon Cook to land his sixth wicket of the match.

A half-century from Paul Weekes, dropped by Niall O’Brien on 11 when cutting at Patel, coupled with 86 from Sven Koenig and a second ton by Ben Hutton were the major contributions.

Rob Joseph impressed with two for 50, Patel bagged four for 94 and Ian Butler bowled with fire and heart, but with little or no luck, but generally Kent looked a dispirited bunch during their 95-over stint in the field.