Joe Denly finished unbeaten on 102 Picture: Andy Payton

Kent Spitfires grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory when losing by two runs against Hampshire Royals in the Clydesdale Bank 40 at Canterbury on Sunday.

They needed 13 off Dominic Cork’s last over, but fell agonisingly short despite Joe Denly’s unbeaten 102.

He completed his first one-day hundred of the season off the first ball and partner Azhar Mahmood then took seven off the next three.

Denly (pictured) failed to score off Cork’s next delivery, leaving Kent needing four off the last ball. They only managed two to finish on 236-4, after being set 238-7 to win.

Spitfires looked in a strong position when Denly and Martin van Jaarsveld (73) were together in a stand, before the acting captain was bowled by left-arm spinner Danny Briggs with the score on 153-2.

Cork then dismissed Geraint Jones and Darren Stevens in the space of 14 runs.

With Denly and Mahmood together, Kent needed 81 off the last 10 overs, 47 from the last four, and 20 from 12 balls at the end.

Michael Lumb had earlier made 50, James Vince 49 and ex-Kent man Michael Carberry 46 in Hampshire’s 238-7.

Matt Coles (3-59) and James Tredwell (3-40) were the best of the Kent attack.