NORTHAMPTONSHIRE'S night watchman Johann Louw frustrated Kent's bowlers for almost two hours before falling just two balls before the lunch interval.

Resuming on the final day of this Frizzell Championship match on 39 for two, the hosts moved on to 117 before losing their dogged tail-ender for 19.

Kent, who need seven more wickets for their third championship win of the campaign, opened up with spinner James Tredwell at the Pavilion End and paceman Mohammad Sami at the Old Football Stand End, but neither home batsman looked troubled.

David Fulton rang the changes, turning to Martin Saggers, Min Patel and Andrew Symonds, but Louw, who remained on eight for 50 minutes, held firm.

It neeeded a second spell from Sami to dislodge him, propping half forward to a full ball, he went leg before to end a stand worth 87 in 35 overs.

Martin van Jaarsveld, who reached his 50 from 117-balls, took his score on to 66 come the interval.