BATSMAN Joe Denly said he was "completely gutted" after Kent's dramatic last day collapse and shock 157-run defeat at the hands of Durham.

The LV Championship match looked set to peter out into a draw when Kent went into Saturday's tea interval on 103 for three having on a rain-interrupted day.

But they conspired to let Durham back into the game and England seamers Steve Harmison and Liam Plunkett rolled the visitors over for 169 inside 51 overs.

The 21-year-old opening bat looked set to be a hero with a championship-best 92, but when he became one of Harmison’s five victims defeat was almost inevitable.

Denly said: "I've got mixed emotions. I'm pleased with a championship best, but bitterly disappointed to miss out on three figures again and really drained now that we've lost the game."