Half-centuries from Paul Franks and Gareth Clough could not prevent Nottinghamshire's first competitive pre-season match of the summer from ending in a defeat.

Notts spent three days at Canterbury to play Kent but with no play possible on the first day due to a wet outfield, the two sides opted for match practice on day two followed by a 12-a-side 50-over game on the final day.

The hosts batted first and made 258-8, Franks the pick of the bowlers with four wickets in an attack missing Stuart Broad, AJ Harris, Charlie Shreck, Ryan Sidebottom and Graeme Swann.

Franks also demonstrated some good form with the bat after Notts slipped to 150-7, forging a 100-run partnership with Clough that eventually fell just short in the face of a mounting run-rate.

Director of Cricket Mick Newell said: ?Given the conditions and the fact we had a few of the bowlers missing, I was generally quite happy with what we got out of the trip.

"Franks and Clough made a decent fist of the chase and a few of the players are showing some good early form."

Notts will be at Derby today for some red ball match practice before another three-day friendly at Leicestershire, starting tomorrow.