Off-spinner James Tredwell claimed his fourth five-wicket haul of the season as Northamptonshire were skittled out for 90 to hand LV= County Championship Division Two leaders Kent victory at Wantage Road.

The 27-year-old took match figures of 10-100 after repeating his first-innings heroics, picking up 5-32 to clinch a 238-run victory.

South African Martin van Jaarsveld sealed Northants’ fate in the 47th over, removing David Wigley, hours after smashing an unbeaten century as Kent declared on 302 for five.

Set an improbable 328 to win, Northants never looked like holding on for a draw and will want to forget this defeat as soon as possible ahead of tomorrow’s Twenty20 Cup finals day.

Kent – beginning the day on 220 for two – made their intentions clear from the outset with keeper Geraint Jones smashing skipper Nicky Boje for six from the sixth ball of the day.

However Boje exacted revenge four overs later, cleaning up the former England keeper for 93 before repeating the trick and sending Sam Northeast and Darren Stevens packing cheaply.

However van Jaarsveld battled on to bring up his century off 139 balls - his fifth of the season - before Kent skipper Rob Key called him and Justin Kemp in with the lead at 328 after 90 minutes of play.

Northants had 70 overs to survive but got off to a poor start when Cook trapped opener Stephen Peters lbw before lunch.

The visitors’ woes did not fare any better after the restart with Rob White pulling Cook to Tredwell at deep square-leg for 11.

Tredwell was soon handed the ball and immediately pinned Alex Wakely in front and sent Riki Wessels back to the pavilion to leave the hosts teetering on the edge at 51 for four.

Ferley got in on the act to remove Boje for six before Tredwell returned to dismiss South African Andrew Hall cheaply after he shouldered arms and was out lbw.

O’Brien battled valiantly but saw his 83-ball innings ended after Ferley reacted well to catch off his own bowling as Northants lost their last four wickets for 16 runs.

England spinner Monty Panesar edged Tredwell to van Jaarsveld at slip for seven before Johannes van der Wath and Wigley fell in similar fashion.