KENT Spitfires chased down a healthy target of 264 under the Canterbury floodlights to claim a two-wicket success over Middlesex Panthers in the Clydesdale Bank 40 on Tuesday night.

Azhar Mahmood (49), Darren Stevens (65) and Sam Northeast (57) were the main contributors, as the Spitfires got the victory with three balls to spare.

The match remained in the balance until the penultimate over when, with 14 required from 11 balls, Northeast hit a Tim Murtagh (1-58) full toss delivery to midwicket, only for the ball to escape through Tom Smith's hands for six.

Murtagh did manage to dismiss Northeast with his final delivery, but with just four needed off the final over Wahab Riaz (12no), who earlier bagged a five-wicket haul with the ball, steered Kent across the line.

Opening batsman Dawid Malan struck 107 in Middlesex's total of 263 all out in 39.3 overs.

Malan was well supported by Paul Stirling (45) and Neil Dexter (58) in century stands for the second and third wickets respectively.

Kent's Pakistan seam duo Riaz (5-46) and Mahmood (4-52) shared nine of the wickets to fall.

The result means Middlesex are now reliant on other teams dropping points if they are to make the semi-finals from Group A.

Kent were already out of contention but move up to fourth in the Group, only two points behind Middlesex.

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