WILL Smith celebrated his three-year contract extension with one of the most important hundreds of his career as Hampshire held on for a tense draw at The Ageas Bowl.

The former Durham batsman has been the signing of the season and after reaching 1,000 LV County Championship runs for the first time he finished on 142 not out to secure Hampshire a draw against Kent - and five potentially vital points.

Crucially for Hampshire, the first session of the season’s last day at The Ageas Bowl was a wash out.

And after resuming on 110-1, they were well placed to close out the game on 178-2 - before losing five wickets for 18 in six overs either side of tea.

The off-spin of James Tredwell and Adam Riley was too much for Hampshire’s middle order on the fourth-day wicket.

But Smith – who was opening the Hampshire batting for only the second time in the absence of the injured Michael Carberry – added 25 from 52 balls with a poorly Imran Tahir before James Tomlinson produced more stoic heroics.

Hands were shaken after Smith added 15 from 70 deliveries with Hampshire’s last man, when Kent would have needed 93 from a maximum of seven overs to complete the win.

Tomlinson saw off another 26 balls for his two runs, taking his match aggregate to an unbeaten 13 from 69 deliveries, as Hampshire reached 248-9 after following on 156 behind.

Without his last-wicket partnerships with Smith and Sean Ervine, Hampshire would only be three points clear of third-placed Essex going into next week’s denouement.

“In some respects the rain hindered us because a few guys came in probably thinking we’d be all right, but in the end we just got over the line thanks to Tomo’s barndoor!” said Smith, who faced 304 balls and hit 16 fours.

“I was due an innings like that, I’ve only scored one other hundred this year. It was also very pleasing because of the situation - it was huge.”

Tredwell (4-110) and Riley (4-36) took 15 of the 19 Hampshire wickets to fall over the four days.

“It was tough because they are two very good off-spinners,” continued Smith. “Tredwell’s an international class bowler and Riley probably will be in the coming years.

“There was plenty of rough so it was very, very tricky. But over the years I’ve developed a method where I think I’m ok at staying in. Gradually I’ve found ways to score as well and everything came together.”

Smith’s 16th first-class century was Hampshire’s second in two days following Sean Ervine’s 121.

“Over the last couple days we’ve seen two of the best hundreds you’re likely to see in the county game,” said captain Jimmy Adams, whose side now need to beat Glamorgan in Cardiff to secure promotion next week.

Failure to do so will mean Essex can pip them by winning at home to Worcestershire, who still need six points to go up as champions.

Adams added: “It’s been spoken about all year and if it goes down to the last hour in Cardiff that’s the way it’s got to be. It will be nice to go into the last game having a lot riding on it for once.”