Kent batsman Darren Stevens believes the county side must learn the lessons from their two opening Friends Provident Trophy defeats - and learn them fast.

Kent went down for the second time in as many starts in this season's 50-over event at Lord's on Sunday and could face elimination for the second year running if they do not start winning soon.

Talking after Kent failed to chase down a revised target of 173 in 33 overs against Middlesex, Stevens said: "We have to pull our finger out, and soon.

"We bowled too many overs with extras, wides in particular today, so we must tighten up.

"As for the batting, it was difficult to get the ball away at the start of our innings after the rain had freshened the pitch up a bit, so we struggled early doors.

"Added to that we've just come from Hove where the ball didn't swing at all yet today this white ball was going around corners.

"But we are professional cricketers, we are paid to cope with things like that and we can't use them as excuses for not quite doing the job well enough."

Kent are in action again from Monday when they take on New Zealand in the three-day friendly in Canterbury. The game is scheduled for an 11am start.