Harmison's four wickets have put Durham in a strong position

Steve Harmison pitched in with four wickets to leave relegation-threatened Kent on 190-9 on a rain-affected day.

Harmison's 4-72 included three wickets in 10 balls for one run, while brother Ben also claimed 2-34.

Only Robert Key and Darren Stevens managed any resistance against Durham's Championship-chasing attack.

Key fired 58, reaching his half-century off 86 balls with eight boundaries, while Stevens managed a credible 41 off 56 balls with six fours and one six.

The hosts lost Joe Denly to the third ball of the day when he edged Harmison behind.

A quick 25 from Geraint Jones took the total to 46 before he fell lbw to Mark Davies (2-33) without playing a shot and at lunch the hosts were 81 for two.

The first over after the break brought the dismissal of Martin van Jaarsveld (12), whose leading edge from a pull shot went for a catch to mid-off.

Stevens' dismissal with the score on 141 brought about a collapse as Kent lost five wickets for 16 within eight overs.

Key eventually fell to Harmison, edging to wicketkeeper Phil Mustard, with 50 of his runs coming from boundaries.

Ben Harmison had Ryan McLaren caught behind with no score and, with the score still on 150, Steve trapped Justin Kemp leg before wicket.

The elder Harmison then had Yasir Arafat snaffled at gully before Callum Thorp dismissed Robbie Joseph for 19.

Tea would have been delayed with Kent nine wickets down, but bad light intervened and play was stopped early with a total of 44 overs lost on the day due to the weather.