Dexter led the recovery for Kent

Nottinghamshire were running out of time to go for the win that could hand them the Championship title as Kent's sixth wicket proved a real frustration.

Notts were still well on top after day three in Canterbury, reducing the hosts to 237-5 after declaring on 486-8.

Anything looked possible when Kent slumped to 108-5, but Neil Dexter (79) and Irish keeper Niall O'Brien (56) then put on 129 unbroken runs.

One more wicket will give Notts seven bonus points, and a win the title.

Former Kent all-rounder Mark Ealham removed openers Dave Fulton (35) and Rob Key (43), the opening pair who put on 66 for the first wicket.

Off-spinner Graeme Swann then cut through the middle-order as three wickets fell for nine runs.

South African Martin van Jaarsveld was caught behind for nine, Darren Stevens was bowled for a duck and Matthew Walker trapped lbw for 11.

But Dexter and O'Brien would not be denied, the former striking nine fours and six and O'Brien eight boundaries in a partnership that promises even more.

ECB and former Notts chief executive David Collier plans to attend if the table-toppers are able to take the 15 more wickets they need on day four, preventing Kent passing the follow-on target of 337 or then overhauling in two attempts their own first-innings total.