Chris Nash hit his maiden one-day century to send Sussex Sharks back to the top of their group in the CB40.

Nash surpassed his previous best score of 85 as he finished unbeaten on 124 in Sussex's total of 249 all out.

It should have been more but Sussex were unable to accelerate in the final ten overs despite wickets in hand.

It proved more than enough however as Kent fell 19 runs short on 239 all out with Rana Naved and Monty Panesar both finishing with two wickets apiece.

Nash carried on where he left off after his century against Somerset and raced to his 50 off 50 balls. He completed his hundred off 97 balls with eight fours and a six off Adam Ball.

He put on 50 for the first wicket with Ed Joyce and 77 for the second with Luke Wright who made 41 in his final game before having an injection in his knee which is expected to keep him out for a fortnight.

Sussex were 180-3 after 30 overs but lost their way in the final ten overs as wickets began to fall. Nash was left stranded at the wrong end in the final over as Sussex lost four wickets for the addition of just two runs.

Sussex's bowlers again made early inroads as Naved Arif removed Joe Denly and Chris Liddle got rid of Matt Coles.

Rob Key and Martin van Jaarsveld rebuilt with a cautious stand of 48 before van Jaarsveld was brilliantly caught by Nash off the bowling of Monty Panesar.

Rana Naved dropped Darren Stevens at mid on when he was on just four and it proved to be costly as he made 43 and put on 67 with Key.

Rana made amends as he trapped Stevens lbw and Key followed soon after when he holed out off Panesar for 59.

Geraint Jones and Azhar Mahmood briefly gave Kent hope only to fall in successive balls as Sussex ran out comfortable winners.