Kent's coaching co-ordinator Simon Willis conceded that the Spitfires' dressing room was a very subdued spot after the county lost Wednesday night's Twenty20 Cup clash with Essex by one run.

A last ball six by Yasir Arafat left the visitors agonisingly close to their target and soon had them wondering where a promising match position had all gone wrong under lights in Chelmsford.

Willis said: "We had a chat about it all at the end, it wasn't our greatest performance in the field where a few things didn't go well for us, yet we were still happy coming off with them on 147-5.

"We were more than happy to chase that down and I would have backed our batting line up to get those, but looking back at it, we probably used up too many dot balls and one of our top five should have gone on to win us the game."

He added: "The lads are very disappointed, it was a very quiet dressing room that I've just come out of, but it's all still in their hands.

"They know they are a good side and there is still a lot of self belief there, they just have to go out and prove that now.

"It's something we will reflect on and the guys must roll their sleeves up and work that bit harder because we have two tough games coming up against Middlesex."

Spitfires are next in action against Southern Division leaders Middlesex in Beckenham from 5.30pm on Friday.