Steve Adshead's superb hundred helped Gloucestershire to victory in their final game of the season – but his future at the club remains uncertain.

The wicketkeeper cracked 114 out of the county's highest total of the campaign – 552 all out against Kent at Bristol.

In reply the visitors were hustled out for 265 in 57 overs to give Alex Gidman's men the win by an innings and 23 runs with a day to spare – despite a superb maiden century from 19-year-old opener Sam Northeast, who carried his bat for 128 not out.

Northamptonshire's huge victory over Leicestershire had confirmed Gloucestershire could no longer claim second place, meaning they are consigned to Division Two for another season.

So the focus turns to who will be at Nevil Road next season to build on the improved form of 2009.

Adshead is out of contract and has not yet been offered a new deal. He replaced Steve Snell in the team mid-season and averages 40.77 in the Championship.

Cricket chairman Mike Smith recently spoke of the need to work prudently within a realistic budget and it would appear that Adshead might be seen as surplus to requirements.

The 29-year-old was approached by Worcestershire a month ago but Adshead's home county may now be ready to look elsewhere.

Director of cricket John Bracewell said: "We have made a big step forward from last year. The bowlers have been stars for us. At times we have shown the talent we have got in our batting line-up but not often enough.

"Steve has shown form throughout the season and he has solidified that middle order along with James Franklin.

"We haven't finished the discussions with him yet. We want to do that as soon as possible but there are all sorts of things that have to happen yet."

The overnight retirement of James Franklin on 104 not out because of his New Zealand Champions Trophy call-up did not deter Adshead, who went to his 100 with his 18th four – a cover drive off Amjad Khan.

Adshead's slightly muted celebration came in between two wickets for Amjad, who claimed Richard Dawson (18) and Ian Saxelby (5), both caught at second slip by James Tredwell.

Off-spinner Tredwell then removed Adshead caught at slip by Rob Key before Jon Lewis provided 43 from 41 balls with 4 sixes before he nicked Tredwell to stand-in keeper James Hockley, who was deputising for neck-injury victim Geraint Jones.

Steve Kirby warmed up for his bowling with 19 not out as Anthony Ireland, the 12th man to bat following his inclusion as substitute for Franklin, lasted two balls before he was lbw to Matthew Coles for a duck.

Kirby then produced a beauty to bowl Key for 45 when Kent began again 298 runs behind.

Ireland then removed Alex Blake for a duck when the youngster ambitiously tried to get off the mark with a Marcus Trescothick-like uppercut over the slips and skied to point.

The part-time seam of Hamish Marshall had Darren Stevens caught behind by Adshead, standing up to the stumps, before ending Justin Kemp's English career by forcing him to chop on to his wicket.

Hockley was well held by Dawson at second slip to give Lewis his 56th wicket of the season before Tredwell and Simon Cook fell to Ireland, caught at third man and by the keeper respectively.

Coles slogged at Kirby and was bowled, but then came an entertaining last-wicket stand between Amjad and Northeast.

When Amjad (29) finally holed out to a steepling catch by Ireland at extra cover, the 19-year-old also had to return to the pavilion with nine wickets down as Jones could not bat.

Nevertheless the youngster had already given the firm impression that he is an England player in the making.