ESSEX claimed the NatWest Pro40 Division Two title with a four-wicket success at Kent this afternoon.

Essex, who also beat Kent in last month's Friends Provident Trophy final, protected their lead at the top of the table by successfully chasing 246 for five in this last round of matches.

Kent captain Robert Key did all he could as his side tried to steal the silverware from under Essex's noses, striking 15 fours and a six on his way to scoring an unbeaten 120 from 117 balls and sharing a second-wicket stand of 113 with Martin van Jaarsveld (61).

But despite losing captain Mark Pettini for a first-ball duck at the start of their reply, Essex kept their cool.

Number three Ravi Bopara (59) and Jason Gallian (51) put on 113 for the second wicket - and then it was Grant Flower (68 not out), Essex's Lord's hero, who once again finished the job as the visitors got home with an over to spare.

Kent, runners-up in this year's Twenty20 Cup as well as the FP Trophy, this time do not even have the consolation of a shot at promotion via next weekend's play-off.

Yorkshire's four-run victory away to Northamptonshire saw the northerners leapfrog both the Crusaders and Glamorgan to grab the second automatic spot - and the Welshmen are third above Kent, having won one more game than Key's unfortunates.