Kent posted a modest first innings lead of 43 after a hard-fought, cut-and-thrust second day of this CricInfo Championship clash with Surrey in Canterbury.

Resuming on 43 without loss and in response to Surrey's first day total of 258 all out, Kent edged to their third batting bonus point at 301 all out, but only after a stoic three-and-a-half hour unbeaten innings of 66 from home wicket-keeper Paul Nixon who remained unbeaten as Kent lost their final wicket in the penultimate over of the day.

Surrey bowled with purpose throughout the day, firstly through new ball pairing Martin Bicknell and Ed Giddins, and then later in the day through spinners Ian Salisbury, Saqlain Mushtaq and seamer Ben Hollioake, who each claimed two wickets, while Bicknell finished with four for 47.

The entire Kent batting order struggled to score fluently as Surrey bowled good line and length and fielded athletically, particularly in the outfield where Michael Carberry stood out.

Kent were given a decent start through Rob Key and David Fulton, who posted 58 for the first wicket before Fulton became the first of Bicknell's quartet of victims.

Key went on to top score with 79 from 182-balls and feature in a second-wicket stand of 95 with Ed Smith who passed 1,000 runs for the summer in reaching 37.

Key also went leg before to Bicknell just after lunch, sparking a battle of wills between bat and ball that Surrey did well to win as Mushtaq sent back Matthew Fleming and Martin McCague as the Kent middle order struggled for runs.

It was left to Ben Hollioake to finish it, bowling Min Patel for a cameo 38 and then having last man Ben Trott well held off a leg-side gloved catch by 'keeper Jonathan Batty.

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