KENT batsman Rob Key played the most spectacular and forceful limited overs innings of his career, but still finished on the losing side in Friday’s tense Twenty20 Cup tie against Surrey.

In front of a 7,000 reduced-capacity sell out crowd, Key almost pulled off a shock win with a stunning knock of 66 from 38 balls that took Kent within four runs of beating the cup holders.

Fresh from a disappointing NatWest Series with England, the right-hander from Beckenham took all his frustrations out on the home attack to flail five sixes and four fours in taking his side to the brink of victory.

Having seen Surrey post a decent total of 185 for seven, Key watched the visitors make a sticky start to their reply before coming in to bat at five to nigh on turn the game on its head.

The frantic opening partnerships of Andrew Symonds and Shahid Afridi again failed to spark as both fell within four overs for 26 and 13 respectively. Former Surrey bat Michael Carberry (1) found a leading edge to offer up a simple catch and then, after a bright start, Alex Loudon (17) holed out to leave Spitfires in trouble at 76 for four.

It was then Key raced to the crease to play the style of innings that, had it been in England colours, would have had the selectors purring. He teamed up with Matthew Walker (32) to post a fifth wicket stand worth 39 in seven overs that at least started the Kent recovery.

Walker played the big shots initially with Key content to rotate the strike, a common sense approach sadly lacking during Kent’s shock defeat to Essex in their second qualifying match in Maidstone last week.

When he lost Walker in the 14th over to a catch at long-on, Key realised the onus to play the big shots now rested with him, and how well he went on to shoulder that responsibility. In the very next over he clubbed three sixes against Surrey spinner Nayan Doshi to turn the game Kent’s way and leave them needing a manageable 42 from the last five overs with five wickets still in hand.

The trouble was, none of the Kent middle to late order batsmen seemed able to give Key the strike or the support his innings deserved. Geraint Jones, Matt Dennington and James Tredwell all perished in search of the elusive big hit when allowing Key to face would have been the shrewder option.

As a result, the game ebbed back Surrey’s way and Kent and Key were left score 18 from Adam Hollioake’s last over of the match.

Key clubbed a six off the first ball and ran two to long-off from the second, to reduce the task to 10 off the last four balls – but that is when it all went badly wrong.

Key’s lofted the third ball of the over to long on where Rikki Clarke raced in only to fumble the chance but, instead of taking a comfortable two, Amjad Khan was left on strike and Key helpless at the non-striker’s end.

A fourth ball wide mean Khan needed to hit eight from the last three balls, but he then holed out to make it 178 for nine.

Last man Ben Trott came in, but Key had crossed in the taking of the catch and had two balls to clobber eight. He swung hard but missed the next delivery, but at least he dispatched the last ball for four to leave the field to rapturous applause.

Though Hollioake’s steely nerve and bowling return of three for 37 effectively won the tie, the hosts had much to thank Mark Butcher for. His wily innings of 60 from 40 balls cemented a Surrey innings together that at one point appeared destined to crumble.

A decent start came to an abrupt end when Khan removed dangerman Ali Brown (18) and Symonds accounted for Scott Newman (17) in the space of seven balls.

Kent’s overseas locum of 2003 Greg Blewett also played a pivotal role, moving the ball around effectively and running hard, he helped add 99 in 10 overs in tandem with Butcher.

The pressure began to tell on Kent as two catches went down and the fielding became increasingly sloppy. To make matters worse, they also conceded 27 overs.

Butcher eventually went to a Carberry run out, but some late clubbing from Hollioake took the Lions onto a 185 for seven and a total that proved just beyond Kent’s grasp.

The victory ensured Surrey’s place in the quarter finals on July 19, but left Kent hoping for qualification through the back door.

Victories in their last two zonal games against Sussex and Hampshire could take them through to six points and possible qualification as one of two best third-placed finishers.