A MAIDEN first-class 50 by Matt Dennington and a battling unbeaten 48 from Ian Butler thwarted Surrey’s last day victory charge and helped Kent to a stoic draw in Canterbury.

When Kent lost three quick wickets after tea to slump to 142 for eight, Surrey looked odds on favourites to clinch victory.

But Kent’s heroic ninth-wicket partners dug in, made good the first innings deficit of 176 and had reached 234 for an overall lead of 58 once Jonathan Batty shook hands on a draw.

They had posted an unbeaten 92 in 29 overs to leave Surrey cursing their luck and their decision to bat on for another 50 minutes at the start of the day in pursuit of two extra batting bonus points

Dennington, whose previous Kent best with the bat was a mere 16, reached his 50 milestone in 144 minutes and with five fours, while Butler kept him company with 48 not out with six fours and a six.

The other bright spot of the day for Kent fans came when Matt Walker reached 57 to post his 1,000 runs for the first-class season.

But Walker sliced Azhar Mahmood’s first ball after tea to Alex Tudor at second slip to start the slide all over again.

Four balls later Rob Ferley (0) lost his middle and leg stumps to an off-cutter that nipped between the gate then Min Patel (2) steered to second slip to give Mahmood his eight wicket of the match.

But then Dennington and Butler dug in to save the day and help Kent to seven points with Surrey taking 12.