A “mad” 44-minute period cost Yorkshire the LV= County Championship title, according to director of cricket Martyn Moxon.

When he made the remark after the Tykes had lost by four wickets to Kent following a spectacular batting collapse, the significance of the defeat was not yet known.

But draws for rivals Nottinghamshire and Somerset meant Yorkshire would have clinched their first title since 2001 had they won.

Instead, the trophy went to Notts, who finished level with Somerset but triumphed courtesy of having won more games.

Few can argue with Moxon’s opinion after a series of poor shots led to nine wickets falling for only 37 runs in the morning.

It helped Kent set themselves a victory target of only 90 to win, with the fact they lost six wickets getting there probably making the defeat even more frustrating.

“We threw away this match, no doubt about it,” said captain Andrew Gale, who slumped to the floor as James Tredwell secured Kent’s victory at exactly 1.54pm.

“That is not the way we have played this season so I am disappointed. On reflection, it has been a good year but this will take a week or two to get over.”

Gale will feel it badly, after captaining his side so admirably this season. His side’s tactics were clear early on as Adam Lyth and Bradford-born Anthony McGrath added 30 runs to the overnight total of 51-1 in the first four overs.

Then, when McGrath was ousted by Dewald Nel, the collapse began.

James Tredwell did the damage, with final figures of 7-22, including a hat-trick, as Kent set themselves their tiny victory target.

Bradfordian Moin Ashraf and Ajmal Shahzad then took the early wickets of openers Joe Denly and Sam Northeast, to leave the visitors on 6-2, before captain Rob Key and Martin van Jaarsveld steadied the ship to add 62 for the third wicket.

That appeared to end the game, before four wickets for 14 runs reignited the Tykes hopes again.

It was not to be, leaving Gale and co to ponder on what might have been as they left to a standing ovation.

Little did they know at this stage how close they had come to winning Division One.