BEN FOAKES made a season's best score of 86 not out as Essex overcame another top-order collapse to earn a draw with Kent at the Essex County Ground.
The visitors – who are bottom of the LV> County Championship Division Two table – were scenting their first four-day win of the season when Mark Davies and Charlie Shreck ripped through the Essex top order on the fourth afternoon.
But Foakes joined forces with skipper James Foster to put on an unbroken 142 for the sixth wicket and ensure the spoils were shared.
Kent had bowled the hosts out for 212 in their first innings, with Davies and Shreck joined by a familiar foe in Darren Stevens.
Tom Westley (30) and Jaik Mickleburgh (37) had made a solid start with 67 for the first wicket, but Ravi Bopara (0), Ryan ten Doeschate (1) and Ben Foakes (0) all failed, again leaving Foster (47) and Graham Napier (58) to pick up the pieces.
Davies and Shreck ended with three wickets apiece, with the other four going to all-rounder Stevens – and he would then put the home side to the sword with the bat in his hands as well.
Kent, who came into the game on the back of being bundled out for just 63 by Worcestershire, were soon in trouble in their reply as they slumped to 43-4, with Reece Topley (two), David Masters and Bopara making the early inroads.
But that brought Stevens to the crease.
Although he is in the twilight of his career, the 37-year-old is still a frightening proposition for most county opponents.
And this game was no exception as he first combined with Ben Harmison (55) to put on 145 for the fifth wicket, and with support from Geraint Jones (15) and Matt Coles (30), he made his third century in his last four visits to Chelmsford to ensure Kent had a lead of 84.
Stevens' eventual knock of 136 lasted 223 balls with 15 fours and one six.
Kent's last three wickets fell without score, as Topley finished with 3-81, well supported by Masters (2-64) and Bopara (2-73).
Unfortunately for Essex's top order, Kent's late order collapse was a sign of things to come, and within 12 overs all of the home side's top five were back in the pavilion in the face of some superb new-ball bowling.
Davies was tormenter in chief with four of the wickets which left the home side reeling, but the support of Shreck ensured it was a tricky period for the home team.
There was little sign of the dangers to come as Essex started well enough, making their way to 20 without loss from 8.1 overs.
But Westley (17) was the first man to fall, before Bopara completed his pair later in the same Davies over.
Pettini added four before he fell to Davies, and ten Doeschate lasted just two balls.
Mickleburgh was caught behind off Shreck to leave the score 24-5, but Foakes and Foster (52) came together and batted for 48 overs.
