ESSEX had a hard day of toil in the field yesterday with it already looking like they will be fighting to avoid anything other than defeat against Kent.

After being bowled out for 260 on the first day, James Foster’s men were looking for quick wickets on day two.

But Kent openers Daniel Bell-Drummond and Rob Key were in no mood to oblige and made 17 for a first-wicket stand.

Jesse Ryder eventually bowled Bell-Drummond for 81 and Graham Napier tempted Key to pull a ball to Nick Browne.

But that wasn’t the start of a collapse for Kent as Joe Denly and Sam Northeast then put on a big partnership of their own.

Northeast was bowled by Jamie Porter and then Ravi Patel got his first Essex wicket when he skittled Denly.

But that only brought together Ben Harmison and Matt Stevens who made hay after tea with both racing to half centuries.

Harmison finished on 63 and Stevens 69 when bad light stopped play with nine overs still left to play in the day.