Matt Walker says runs from Kent’s lower order continue to make a difference this season following their three wicket win over Middlesex.

Kent took 19 points from their Specsavers County Championship Division 2 match at Lord’s that ended on Wednesday.

Half-centuries for Darren Stevens and Grant Stewart in the first innings gave their side a vital 31 run lead.

Head coach Walker said: “This was a great win in the end. It was a strange game actually. Things happened so quickly so you knew it would be a tight one.

“It was hard work and it was never going to be a pretty victory to get over the line today.

“In a season, I’m not just talking about us, where it has been tough in the top order for batting, it is always important that people down the lower order contribute and that can be the difference.

“We have done it very well this year and in most games someone down the lower order has made good contributions.

“Grant and Darren’s partnership was a key moment in the game and getting that lead of 31 runs was pretty big. It meant we were chasing 150 instead of 180 or 190.”

Walker believes that Kent got things right when it mattered in the game to see them over the line.

One of the most pleasing things for Walker and the coaching stuff is his side’s ability to dig deep and grind out results that has seen them compete in all three formats this season.

He said: “On day two we didn’t quite get it right with the ball in that morning session, then after lunch we came back brilliantly and kept that chase to a minimum.

“Heino Kuhn and Daniel Bell-Drummond then stabilised things on Tuesday night to put us in a good position. Those key parts of the game we did very well.

“The bottom line is that we got over the line and at this stage of the season that is the important thing.

“The winning culture and mentality is probably something we haven’t had at Kent in recent years. We have done it a number of times this year and it is starting to breed and become a bit of a habit.

“That’s the really pleasing thing to see. Whatever gets thrown at us we have managed to come out the right side of things.”