Kent fought back bravely at Headingley after they began their second innings trailing Yorkshire by 201 runs but Gary Fellows grabbed two wickets near the close to leave them struggling on 174 for five and still 27 in arrears.

David Fulton and Robert Key got Kent off to the ideal start with an opening stand of 93 but their task was made easier when strike bowler Chris Silverwood had to limp off with a groin strain.

But both then fell to consecutive balls from Yorkshire's new signing Steven Kirby who was drafted into the side after the first day when Matthew Hoggard had to withdraw to join the England camp.

Bowling with great enthusiasm, Kirby destroyed Key's stumps with a ball which kept low and off the first delivery of his next over he trapped Fulton lbw, Matthew Walker coming in to save the hat-trick.

Kent continued to show plenty of determination until Walker was caught behind off White and Gary Fellows then dealt them two hammer blows by yorking both Ed Smith and James Hockley before rain ended play with 3.5 overs remaining.

Yorkshire in the morning had resumed on 287 for six and they made rapid progress to 413 all out, collecting a maximum five batting bonus points on the way.

The bulk of the runs came from Darren Lehmann who rattled up 90 off 133 balls with seven fours and a six but missed out on his first century of the season by edging a drive at Min Patel to Hockley at slip.

Richard Blakey was also in his best form in a long while, knocking up 59 before being last out after Kirby had proved a reliable partner while the wicket-keeper completed his half-century.

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