Kent's veteran seamer Azhar Mahmood bagged three for 59 to restrict table-topping Yorkshire to 280 for eight on an excellent second day of cut-and-thrust cricket at Canterbury.

In pursuit of Kent's first-innings 317, the visitors looked deep in trouble at 120 for six until a seventh-wicket stand between Jonathan Bairstow (70) and Adil Rashid (59) turned the tables.

But Kent regrouped with the impetus of the second new ball, removing both men to end the day with a 37-run lead.

Yorkshire lost opener Adam Lyth in the third over of their response when Geraint Jones took off to his left to claim a good, diving catch, but it was Azhar who caused the visiting top order the most headaches in an excellent opening 10-over stint of two for 24.

He trapped Joe Sayers leg before for an 11-ball duck then Yorkshire skipper Andrew Gale pushed at a leg-cutter to be superbly caught by Martin van Jaarsveld at second slip, diving across James Tredwell at first.

In the first over after lunch Yorkshire's progress received a huge blow when Anthony McGrath, well set on 40, played around one from the military-medium Darren Stevens to go lbw.

England off-spinner James Tredwell then got in on the act with two wickets in as many deliveries. Jacques Rudolph, who scored 129 on his last appearance here in 2008, nicked an attempted cut to the keeper then a well flighted delivery enticed a rash drive from Tim Bresnan which flew shoulder-high to slip.

Adil Rashid shouldered arms to the hat-trick ball that almost grazed off stump, but gathered his poise to contribute 59 to an excellent seventh-wicket stand with Bairstow that added 126 in 43 overs either side of tea.

Bairstow's three-hour, 172-ball stay came to an end from the third delivery with the second new ball, tossed to Kent's spearhead Amjad Khan. Fishing at one that held its line, the youngster edged to third slip where James Hockley claimed a regulation chance.

Only nine balls later Azhar, in his third spell of another bitterly cold day, snared Rashid after 140 balls with a shooting off-cutter that caught him flush in front in back-foot defence.

Ajmal Shahzad (12 not out) and David Wainwright (16 not out) added an unbroken 32 by the close and will resume on Friday looking to wipe out the arrears.

Despite the absence of three first-choice seamers through injury in Robbie Joseph, Dewald Nel and Simon Cook, Kent will be most satisfied with their day in the field. Azhar was clearly the pick of their bowlers, but Tredwell (two for 53) and Khan (two for 59) gave admirable support.

Their ailing attack may yet receive much-needed assistance as early as next week should Kent secure the services of an overseas player. South African quick bowler Makhaya Ntini is being widely tipped as the man they hope to sign on a five-week deal through to late May.