Kent’s hopes of pulling off their first win of the season was thwarted by bad light at Headingley after forcing Yorkshire to follow on.

The Tykes had started the day on 316 for 6, still some 72 runs short of the follow on and at one point it looked as though they would achieve their target, but despite adding 31 runs to their overnight total, Charlie Shreck took four wickets in the space of eighteen balls for just six more runs.

First to go was Ajmal Shahzad as he was trapped leg before for 25 with Ryan Sidebottom snapped up at second slip by Ben Harmison for just two.

Adil Rashid’s fine innings of 58 came to an end when he was caught behind by Geraint Jones and the final nail in the coffin came shortly after when Richard Pyrah, who came into bat at number eleven with a broken left hand went first ball.

Pyrah, who broke his hand earlier in the game, bravely faced Shreck with his injured hand behind his back, but couldn’t keep out Shreck’s devastating delivery and saw his wickets clattered.

Kent skipper Rob Key had no hesitation in sending Yorkshire back into bat, still trailing by 173 runs after succumbing for 364 in their first attempt.

An opening century stand from Joe Root (76) and Joe Sayers (43) effectively put the game beyond doubt as Yorkshire mounted a rearguard action that was to deny Kent.

The Tykes did have one big wobble that looked to have opened the door for Kent with Adam Riley and Shreck picking up two wickets apiece, but bad light was to prevent any further play with the home side on 146 for 4, still some 27 runs short of making Kent bat again.

Despite not getting the win Kent would have wanted, they won the moral victory and the journey back home saw the visitors return to Kent with ten points.

Kent’s next game is another Championship fixture away from home as they take on Northamptonshire beginning on Thursday.

Yorkshire side: Sayers, Root, McGrath, Gale, Bairstow, Ballance, Rashid, Pyrah, Shahzad, Sidebottom, Wardlaw.

Kent side: Key, Newman, Harmison, Nash, Powell, Stevens, Jones, Coles, Shreck, Davies, Riley.

Umpires: MA Eggleston and NA Mallender.

Result: Kent 537 for 9 declared, Yorkshire 364 and 146 for 4. Match Drawn