RELEGATION threatened Northamptonshire showed great resolve on day three of their championship clash with Kent in sun-baked Canterbury.

Having lost a wicket in the second over of their second innings, the visitors rallied through Jeff Cook (114), Tom Huggins (44) and then Usman Afzaal and David Sales to reach 281 for three by stumps.

The visitors will require a further 301 on the fourth and final day on Monday to pull off a remarkable, but still highly unlikely win.

Having been set a mammoth victory target of 582 from the 175 overs, Northamptonshire’s reply started horribly when Tim Roberts worked across the line in Amjad Khan’s first over to lose his middle and off stumps and make it one for one.

Cook and Huggins then added 161 for the second wicket before Huggins chipped a catch to mid off to give Rob Joseph a well-earned wicket.

Cook progressed to his century with a clipped boundary off Min Patel from his 155th ball but, with his score on 114, he dragged on in attempting a tired run down shot against Alex Loudon.

Kent had earlier, declared their second innings on 318 when Ed Smith became fifth wicket down for an impressive 156 that included 19 fours and three towering sixes.

He and Matt Walker (34) had added 108 in 24 overs for the fourth wicket before Walker perished trying to hit Paul Rofe out of the ground.

Smith was with 10 of equalling his season’s best score when he too fell trying for quick runs and went leg before to Johann Louw.

During the innings Smith reached 1,000 first-class runs for the season, following in the footsteps of team-mates David Fulton, Rob Key and Walker, who have also reached the milestone.