CAPTAIN Martin van Jaarsveld led from the front as Kent fought back superbly to leave themselves nursing hopes of an unexpected victory in their LV County Championship match against Essex at Chelmsford.

The 34-year-old South African scored a fine 102 before he was dismissed in the first over after tea. And further battling half-centuries from James Tredwell and Darren Stevens helped Kent reach the close on day three at 391 for five, with a lead of 226.

Kent had started the day on 54 for one and requiring a further 111 to avoid an innings defeat, but never once looked in danger of suffering such an ignominy.

Kent's only setback before lunch came on 113 when Geraint Jones, needing five to complete his half-century, dragged on against Maurice Chambers to bring to an end a stand that produced 78 runs.

Thereafter, Tredwell and Van Jaarsveld dictated proceedings for over two hours in putting together a stand of 124.

Essex, however, only have themselves to blame for not breaking it earlier. Tredwell was put down by a diving Varun Chopra at backward point, a reprieve that allowed him to scamper a single to complete his fifty from 148 balls.

Then on 60, Tredwell was spilt by substitute Tim Phillips at first slip. His luck was to run out when he had made 79, including 10 fours and one six, when he was caught at first slip by Alastair Cook pushing forward at the leg-spin of Danish Kaneria.

By then Van Jaarsveld was into his stride, never afraid to take the aerial route, although one such drive just eluded the outstretched hand of Kaneria.

His century, from 127 balls, contained 14 fours before he pushed forward at paceman David Masters soon after the new ball was taken and was caught by James Foster.

It signalled Foster's 400th first-class catch, and carried his championship tally for this summer to 22.

But if Essex thought the departure of Van Jaarsveld would lead to rapid inroads into the innings, they were mistaken.

Stevens combined solid defence with some fine drives, displaying refreshing use of his feet against Kaneria as he completed his half-century with the help of six boundaries.

Justin Kemp helped Stevens add 40 for the fifth wicket before the Kaneria-Cook combination struck again.

But that was to prove Essex's last success of the day as James Hockley provided solid support in a stand so forth worth 79.

Stevens will go into the final day on 74, while Hockey reached the close on 33.

Elsewhere in Division Two, Gloucestershire wrapped up their first Championship win since August 2007 at Northampton, but not before being given a scare by the hosts.

Northamptonshire got within 50 runs of victory with three wickets left, but the loss of David Lucas for 13 immediately before lunch and Steven Crook for 55 immediately after swung the game decisively in Gloucestershire's favour.

When David Wigley went for a duck shortly afterwards, Northants were all out for 326, giving Gloucestershire victory by 44 runs.

Robert Croft took three wickets to reduce Derbyshire to 34 for three at the close after they were asked to follow on against Glamorgan, but it was not enough to prevent them claiming a draw.

James Taylor made an unbeaten 122 - his maiden first-class century - as Leicestershire's match with Middlesex at Southgate ended in a draw. Following on, Leicestershire made 400 for seven declared.