BBC Sportcricket

After Kent win the toss, skipper Rob Key makes just seven before he is caught behind off David Masters in the fifth over

Kent's other opener Joe Denly shapes to drive at Graham Napier, but the ball seams down the hill and he is bowled for 11 to make it 19-2

Kent finally get a foothold in the match when Martin van Jaarsveld survives an early lbw appeal to weather the storm

But elsewhere wickets are falling and after 20 overs Kent are 69-4, Masters taking 2-34 after bowling his 10 overs in one spell

Two wickets for Danish Kaneria, including that of the dangerous Azhar Mahmood, see Kent slip further into the mire at 100-6

Alastair Cook takes a terrific catch to end Van Jaarsveld's innings on 58 as Chris Wright takes his second wicket, making the score 138-7

But Ryan McLaren, so nearly caught on nought, hits a superb 63 batting at number eight as Kent are finally all out for 214

Essex smoothly reach 32 without loss before Mahmood traps opposition skipper Mark Pettini lbw for 10

Essex cruise to 88-2 before the Spitfires roar back into contention thanks to two vital wickets from seamer Robbie Joseph

It soon emerges that the veteran former Zimbabwe international Grant Flower has a vital role to play for Essex in a tense match

After Flower and James Foster put on 68, the impressive Joseph strikes again, finishing with fine figures of 3-40

But Flower's unbeaten 70, and some late biffs from Ryan ten Doeschate see Essex win the spoils with seven balls remaining