Kent Spitfires were left disappointed after Middlesex salvaged a tie in a thrilling finish to their Vitality Blast clash at Lord’s.

Chasing 210, the Spitfires were clear favourites going into the final over on Saturday, needing three to win from their final four balls, but they couldn’t get over the line and the points were shared.

Daniel Bell-Drummond - captaining Kent with Sam Billings and Joe Denly away on international duty - had earlier hit 72 from 32 balls and shared a blistering opening stand of 89 in just under seven overs with Zak Crawley, who had starred for England a week earlier.

Bell-Drummond said: “We’re disappointed and it’s a tough one to take. It was a crazy game and, with my captain’s head on, there were so many positives – and a lot to work on.

“Myself and Zak started off nicely – if one of us could have been there at the end we would have won. I feel we still should have won but hard luck to the guys at the crease.

“Zak’s helped me a lot and seeing his class at the other end, obviously you want to keep up with a guy like that. We always knew if we played our best game, we’d be in with a shout and we went out quite fearless. Alex Blake played a good knock and Coxy held it up in the middle but it just wasn’t enough.

“Helm, even though he struggled with his wides, actually bowled very well in between them and I think he showed his class in the last over.”

Helm’s first three overs had seen him concede 40 runs and a string of wides but restricted Kent to just five runs at the death, bowling Grant Stewart before Jack Leaning scampered a bye from the last ball to finish on 209-5.

Sam Billings, meanwhile, hit 10 runs on Sunday for England as they beat Pakistan by five wickets in the IT20 match at Old Trafford, successfully chasing 196.

Kent are back in T20 action on Tuesday with a behind closed doors match at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, at home to Surrey.

More: Stevens signs new Kent deal