County Championship Division Two: Gloucestershire survive final day scare to deny Kent

Gloucestershire survived a final day scare before holding on for a draw against Kent at Canterbury in Specsavers County Championship Division Two.

Kent declared on 478-8, a first innings lead of 141, before a ball was bowled on day four as the start of play was delayed by rain.

Gloucestershire made a steady start to their second innings and reached 53-1 before two Calum Haggett wickets left them wobbling at 75-3. That became 122-5 when Matt Hunn removed Ian Cockbain and Hamish Marshall to crank up the pressure on the visitors.

Kent looked well on course for a second win in as many games when Darren Stevens (2-58) bowled Craig Miles to leave Gloucestershire 158-8, just 17 runs ahead.

Jack Taylor and David Payne had other ideas, though, and went about hitting their side out of trouble. They took their side to 211-8 before, with time and light running out, the game was declared a draw.

Derbyshire and Sussex had to settle for a draw in their game at the County Ground.

After rain delayed the start of day four, play began with the Derbyshire openers at the crease again with Sussex having declared on 468-5, a lead of 277.

With a draw the best their side could hope for, Chesney Hughes and Billy Godleman shared a stand of 79 for the first wicket before the latter was dismissed by Luke Wells early in the evening session.

Hamish Rutherford went first ball off the bowling of Stu Whittingham but Hughes remained and reached his half-century before the rain returned to end proceedings.

There were just seven overs of play on the final day as the game between Leicestershire and Northamptonshire ended in a draw.

Leicestershire declared on 132-6, a lead of 313, before play began on day four after no play was possible on day three due to rain.

Clint McKay dismissed Ben Duckett for a duck when Northants' second innings became but Jake Libby and Alex Wakely took the score on to 30-1 before a draw was agreed upon.

Worcestershire were forced to settle for a draw against Glamorgan after rain meant there was no play on the final day.

Day three had also been a washout leaving the visitors frustrated having made 456-6 declared in their first innings, Brett D'Oliveria hitting an unbeaten 202, and then reduced Glamorgan to 42-4.