A CENTURY from Darren Stevens has given Kent a glimmer of hope of salvaging a draw from their County Championship match against Northants.

Before that on day three, Northants were bowled out for 493 with former Kent players Andrew Hall making 100 and Niall O'Brien 62 as they built a 213-run first innings lead.

Rob Key (34) and Sam Northeast (29) had got Kent off to a steady start to their second innings before a collapse of wickets saw the home side go from 59-0 to 118-6.

And when James Tredwell fell for nine, soon after tea, it was looking like an early finish. However, Ashley Ball (30 not out) and Stevens (101 not out) put on an unbeaten 92 for the eigth wicket leaving Kent 42 ahead going into the final day.

But with only three wickets left it's going to be a tall order.