Coach Simon Willis said Kent's batting order heaped pressure on the side and led to Wednesday night's six-run home defeat to Surrey at St Lawrence.

After slipping to 55-5, Kent were always well behind the asking rate as they chased 167 for victory.

And, after finishing short of their target, will now miss out on a home quarter-final tie should they even qualify.

Willis said: "After decent starts in the first six overs we've tended to struggle at 3, 4 and five in the order, in that middle period, and that's gone against us on a number of occasions in a run chase now.

"Losing wickets always causes you problems and to be 55-5 after 10 overs we were definitely in second place.

"The knocks from Azhar (55) and Yasir (27) were first class and put us in with a chance, but it wasn't to be. You look back now and think 'if only this', 'if only that', but that's Twenty20 cricket, the margins are so fine.

"Had a couple of no ball decisions for full tosses gone our way tonight it might have been a different story, who knows?"

Kent will now have to lift themselves for Friday's final Twenty20 qualifier at Hove against Sussex. The game starts at 5.30pm.