James Franklin's ninth first-class century helped promotion-chasing Gloucestershire into a strong position on the second day against Kent at Bristol.

The 28-year-old New Zealand all-rounder followed up his five for 30 in Kent's first innings of 264 by making an unbeaten 104 as the home side replied with 439 for five.

Hamish Marshall hit 87, Chris Taylor 69 and Steve Adshead 86 not out on a tough day for the visiting bowlers in bright sunshine.

Gloucestershire began the day on 21 without loss and had progressed to 52 when Kadeer Ali fell lbw for 25 to a ball from Amjad Khan that appeared to keep low.

Marshall looked in good touch from the start of his innings and raced to a half-century off 38 balls, with 11 fours and a six, which took him to 54.

He and Will Porterfield (42) added 84 for the second wicket before Porterfield was beaten by a ball from James Tredwell that turned and fell lbw.

It was 140 for two at lunch and 161 for three when Gloucestershire skipper Alex Gidman, on 15, played a loose shot outside off stump to Simon Cook and was caught at second slip by Tredwell.

Taylor began in majestic style with some sweet cover-drives and helped take the score to 208 when Marshall's fine innings ended, cutting at a wide delivery from Darren Stevens and edging to wicketkeeper Geraint Jones. He had faced just 86 balls and hit 14 fours and a six.

Taylor's fluent half-century occupied 63 deliveries and featured 10 fours. Franklin was soon joining in the boundary blitz as the pair added 87 in quick time.

The last ball before tea saw Franklin stroke a single to take him to 50 off 69 balls, with six fours and two sixes, both off Tredwell, making the score at the break 295 for four.

Taylor perished without addition soon after the interval, top-edging a pull shot off Matthew Coles and skying a catch to Jones, who made ground to his left. It was a sad end to an attractive contribution.

But the problems for Kent were only beginning as Adshead joined Franklin for the best stand of the innings. The pair have enjoyed batting together this season with several valuable partnerships and none was better than this as Adshead moved to his half-century off 73 balls with nine fours and Franklin achieved his second ton of the summer, reaching it with a sweet clip off his legs for four off Coles.

The Kiwi left-hander had faced 151 balls and hit 14 fours and two sixes, never looking in any trouble. By the close his unbroken stand with Adshead was worth 144 and Gloucestershire led by 175.

That puts them in a good position to win the game, but with Northamptonshire also on course for victory, promotion remains a long shot.