KENT conceded a narrow first innings lead of just 33-runs at New Road after being dismissed by Worcestershire for 420.

After yesterday’s ton by Andrew Symonds and half-centuries for Matt Walker and Alex Loudon, Kent batted on for much of the third morning session courtesy of a seventh wicket stand worth 110 between Niall O’Brien (67) and James Tredwell ().

O’Brien reached his maiden first-class 50 from 75 balls and with seven fours and went on to celebrate the landmark with a towering six off Gareth Batty before his two-hour stay ended.

The extra bounce of the second new ball proved his undoing, as Kabir Ali found the leading edge to earn a simple return catch that made it 192 for seven.

Ben Trott soon went leg before to the same bowler when playing back to an off-cutter, then Alamgir Sheriyar, having scored the boundary to earn a fifth batting bonus point, ran himself out when attempting a second run to Andy Bichel at third man.

Tredwell farmed the bowling with last man Simon Cusden at the crease and did well to take his own score on to 47 in just over three hours before shipping a catch to mid-on.