KENT pulled off a remarkable 192-run victory over Essex at Chelmsford after being outplayed during the first two days.

They had been forced to follow on 165 behind but, thanks largely to centuries from skipper Martin Van Jaarsveld and Darren Stevens, made 512-9 declared in their second innings to set Essex a target of 348 in 61 overs.

And the visitors were able to celebrate a famous triumph with 22 balls to spare, Robbie Joseph doing most of the damage with 6-55 as Essex were bowled out for 155.

The day had started with Kent 226 ahead with five wickets remaining, and Stevens and James Hockley stretched the lead to more than 300 as they extended their partnership to 166 in 44 overs.

It was finally broken when paceman Chris Wright got rid of Hockley for 72.

Three more wickets fell quickly before the declaration shortly after lunch that left Stevens unbeaten on 136 from 208 deliveries.

It was a superb innings of concentration and shot selection and included two sixes in an over against leg spinner Danish Kaneria among his 15 boundaries.

It soon became obvious that a draw would be the best Essex could hope for.

Wayne Parnell, the young South African fast bowler, confirmed his promise by quickly removing Alastair Cook and Varun Chopra, the former departing following a brilliant diving slip catch by James Tredwell.

That paved the way for paceman Joseph to destroy the backbone of the innings.

He claimed the next five wickets, three of them in a 13-ball spell, as Essex subsided to 79-7.

Ryan ten Doeschate and David Masters, the former taking advantage of being dropped twice, battled their way to the 56th over while adding 72 before Kent claimed the last three wickets in 14 deliveries.

Masters was caught at silly point off spinner Tredwell and in the next over ten Doeschate was well taken at second slip by Van Jaarsveld.

Joseph brought the innings to an end as Stevens hung onto a marvellous catch at fourth slip to get rid of Kaneria.