KENT are struggling at Southgate after being dismissed cheaply and failing to make a breakthrough in Middlesex's second innings before stumps.

Kent once again missed out on batting bonus points but were at least saved from the ignominy of following on when Middlesex elected to bat again with a first innings lead of 159.

After dismissing Kent for a paltry 192 inside 61.3 overs, acting captain Ben Hutton elected to bat again to prevent his bowlers from further toil on a humid second afternoon.

Matt Walker was left high and dry with an unbeaten, three-hour 50 and Ed Smith played a superb 77-ball innings of 63.

Otherwise Kent played abysmally to miss out on batting bonus points for the third time this campaign.

Their top six all got themselves out with poor shot selection, thus exposing the tail to Glenn McGrath, who cleaned up with four for 59.

For the second time in the game, acting Middlesex skipper Ben Hutton batted beautifully to reach an unbeaten 72 by stumps.

In tandem with fellow left-hander Sven Koenig (86) the Middlesex openers reached 162 without loss to extend their overall lead in the game 321 going into the third day of four.