The umpires have finally called time and it's a sad finish to a match which was heading for a thrilling conclusion.

Home fans didn't disguise their anger when the umpires decided it was too dark to carry on with Northants just 23 runs away from victory.

Derbyshire take 14 points from the game but their promotion hopes are over. The best they can do is finish fourth.

Northants earn 13 points and go into the final round four behind second placed Kent.

Still no official word from Northants, but it's not looking good.

The rain is refusing to relent in Bristol, and with it being mid-September, the light is not improving either.

Frustration for Middlesex, who only needed one more wicket, but conditions had the final say.

In truth, there was little riding on this match, but Gloucestershire do have a chance to move above Lancashire and off the bottom next week.

It's a waiting game at Bristol and Northants...

The umpires are looking at their light metres out in the middle and Sue Redfern appears to be in radio conversation with the match referee.

One way or another we'll soon know.

Well the covers are coming off at Northampton.

That may only be to allow the umpires to take a look and make a final decision

They're pulling a rope around the outfield at Northampton to dry it.

The umpires are likely to emerge shortly.

Could we get a dramatic resumption?

Kevin Hand
BBC Radio London commentator

The umpires are chatting to ground staff - it's hard to see them getting back in with the light but never say never.

Although Middlesex are out playing football now to suggest we should be playing.

The rain has only been light but it's surrounding us again.

It's impressive that Middlesex want to get out to wrap this up given their minds may have easily drifted to Sunday already when they face Leicestershire in the One-Day Cup final.

They've been off for just over half an hour now at Northampton.

There was about an hour and 20 minutes of scheduled play left when they came off.

Conditions don't seemed to have changed much.

There has been a little rain at Northampton but now only the pitch itself is covered and the ground staff are poised for any instructions.

It's still pretty dark though.

Whatever happens now at Northampton, this round of matches has confirmed it is a two horse race for the second promotion spot.

Kent's win ended the mathematical chances of the chasing pack including Derbyshire who might have had an outside hope with a big win at Northampton if Kent had lost.

If Northants don't get back on they'll find themselves four points behind Kent going into the final game having been two points ahead at the start of this round.

Northants travel to Lord's to play Middlesex next week while Kent host bottom of the table Gloucestershire.

Of course we already knew Durham are up as champions.

Adam Whitty
BBC Radio Leicester commentator

Image source, Rex Features

As Nick Kelly walked off the field, having been dismissed for 86 just short of the victory target, he banged his bat against his fist, raised his bat to the Leicestershire dressing room and celebrated.

It was a moment that personified their resilience and character after the past two days. They were told at lunch on day two they'd get a 27 point deduction that would likely relegate them.

But they chased down a really hard target with relative ease. A marvellous partnership between Kelly and wicketkeeper Ben Cox, a mix of dogged defense and exciting attack, exemplfied a team that had its backs against the wall and stood up.

Alfonso Thomas is right to be proud of his players - he spoke about answering all of the questions posed to his team: "Are we good enough? Have they got the character? Can they come back from what's happened?". Yes is the answer.

They will almost certainly go down - they need to get 20 more points than Essex to stay up against title chasing Warwickshire, but today they have shown they are worthy of the top tier, and a team clearly with so much heart.

I fear for Middlesex on Sunday in the One-Day Cup final - there will be a lot of emotion around Leicestershire and they will want to prove a point.

Rain stops playpublished at 16:28 BST

16:28 BST

Northants 326-6 chasing 349 to beat Derbyshire

Now the covers are coming on at Northampton.

There were still 22 overs left to be bowled so the home side will want to wait as long as possible before having the game called off.

If it is a draw Kent will go into the final round in the second promotion place, four points ahead of Northants, the only other contenders.

Andrew Radd
BBC Radio Northampton

The umpires are probably sensibly staying out in the middle.

I think if they came back to the pavilion, it might be ugly scenes.

The home crowd are furious as the umpires take the players off with Northants 23 runs short of victory.

Shouts of "Shame on you", "Rubbish" and "Disgrace".

The batters stay in the middle as do the umpires.

Dave Fletcher
BBC Radio Derby Sport

Cries of "get on with it". Dear oh dear.

Well, this is absolutely astonishing.

It's a very bad look for cricket, this I'm afraid.

Oh my days ... the umpires are consulting about the light.