ESSEX will chase 174 to reach the Twenty20 Cup Final at the Rose Bowl.

Opponents Kent Spitfires made a flying start to their innings in Southampton, reaching 58 off just 34 legitimate balls before Danish Kaneria bowled captain Rob Key for 20.

At the other end Joe Denly, who smashed 91 against Essex in the group stage, reached 36 from 27 balls before being stumped off a James Middlebrook wide by James Foster.

The third wicket fell soon afterwards as pinch-hitter Yasir Arafat was nochalantly caught by Maurice Chambers off Kaneria for 10.

However, poor fielding cost Essex dear as Azhar Mahood survived three chances - to Graham Napier, Mark Pettini and Chambers - to reach 24.

It was Ravi Bopara who applied the brakes to Kent's innings as the England all-rounder removed Martin van Jaarsveld (16), Darren Stevens (29) and Mahmood (caught by Grant Flower for 24) to reduce the Spitfires to 162-6.

And when Napier bowled Justin Kemp (11) with the final ball of the last over, things looked rosy for Essex.

However, the momentum changed again as Ross McLaren hit two boundaries from the final three deliveries.