Durham on course for its first County Championship title.

Durham is on course for its first County Championship title whereas Kent is in danger of its first ever relegation in English cricket's most exciting finish for years.

Although Durham is eight points behind in the standings, it appears likely to beat Kent at Canterbury while leader Nottinghamshire looks headed for a draw at best with Hampshire.

Setting out 275 behind Durham's 500 for eight declared, Kent ended the day on 159 for 5 in its second innings, with all five wickets falling to medium pacer Callum Thorp.

That means the home side, which was at 58 for 5 at one stage, is still 116 runs short of making Durham bat again and the visitors need only five wickets to capture the title for the first time.

Somerset had an outside chance of winning the title with a victory but appears to be heading for defeat against Lancashire at Taunton.

At the other end of the table, Yorkshire and Sussex look set to drop Kent into the second relegation spot alongside Surrey, which is already sure to go down to division two.

Starting out in the relegation spot, Yorkshire recovered from 84 for 6 to declare at 400 for 9 and then bowled Sussex out for 207 to gain the maximum eight, batting and bowling points at Hove.

Callum Thorp, the right-handed batsman, put Durham in a pole position to clinch their maiden LV County Championship title on Sunday against Kent.

Durham now is now five more wickets away from claiming their victory, and their first championship since joining the first-class fray in 1991.