Geraint Jones responded to predecessor Paul Nixon's second-day century with a maiden first-class ton as Kent set Leicestershire a challenging 386 to win at Canterbury.

But the hosts will have to take 10 wickets on the final day after rain began during the tea interval, wiping out any chance of the Foxes beginning their reply.

Kent released wicket-keeper Nixon over the winter believing Jones would be a capable replacement and he proved so, striking 10 fours and two sixes on his way to a 150-ball hundred.

Jones, 26, was dismissed soon after reaching his milestone, caught off Foxes new-boy Jeremy Snape.

And the spinner also snapped up Martin Saggers, who was three away from what would have been only his second half-century in eight seasons, to wrap up the Kent second innings for 411.

Leicestershire had appeared in control early, when Phil DeFreitas had Matthew Walker lbw for 38, with just 22 added to an overnight 147-4.

But stand-in skipper Mark Ealham maintained Kent's momentum, adding 64 with Jones for the sixth wicket before he fell to debutant David Brignull for a brisk 82 that included two sixes.

Kent: GS Blewett, MA Carberry, MA Ealham (capt), GO Jones, RWT Key, A Khan, MJ Saggers, A Sheriyar, ET Smith, JC Tredwell, MJ Walker.

Leicestershire: DG Brandy, DS Brignull, CE Dagnall, PAJ DeFreitas (capt), DL Maddy, DD Masters, PA Nixon, JL Sadler, JN Snape, DI Stevens, TR Ward.