KENT drew their rain-ruined clash at Edgbaston allowing hosts Warwickshire to keep their 36-point lead at the top of Frizzell Division 1.

Sadly Alex Loudon missed out on his maiden Kent century by just eight runs when he gloved a Neil Carter long-hop to wicketkeeper Tony Frost - one of three Kent batsmen to suffer such an unlucky mode of dismissal.

Loudon had earlier featured in a match-saving sixth-wicket stand worth 127 in 29 overs with Niall O’Brien, who finally went for a career-best 69 having seen Kent avoid the follow-on.

Rob Joseph finished unbeaten on 19 when last man Ben Trott fell in similar fashion to Loudon, leaving Kent with maximum batting points and Warwickshire with a narrow first innings lead of 37 when they went in to bat again.

The hosts reached 123 for two in their second innings before the sides shook hands on a draw with home skipper Nick Knight unbeaten on 63 having posted his 1,000th first-class run for the summer.

Loudon took the two Bears' wickets to fall, bowling Mark Wagh (33) and having Heath Streak (11) caught off the gloves by O’Brien as he aimed to sweep.

The sides do battle again on Sunday, with a totesport League Division 1 relegation clash.