Kingstonian slipped to their 10th game without a win but produced a big improvement before losing 1-0 to leaders Dulwich Hamlet in the Ryman League Division One South at Champion Hill on Saturday.

With leading scorer Danny Morris and the season's best player Dean Lodge watching from the stand, and flair player Mazin Ahmad joining Molesey, the visit to table-toppers Dulwich seemed a lost cause.

But it took a superb individual effort from Hamlet striker Chris Dickson, his 23rd goal of the season, to give Dulwich victory.

Ks' legend Dave Leworthy, now 44, was brought on by manager Stuart McIntyre after 82 minutes, but his sweet touches were unfortunately to no avail in the short time available.

Goalkeeper Luke Garrard made early saves from Dulwich ksipper Jamie Coyle and the menacing Phil Williams, while Adolph Amoako and Tony Reid went close for Ks.

On 37 minutes Dulwich's stand-in keeper Ricky Millard, who was making his debut, came way out of his box and failed to to clear.

Reid pounced on the loose ball and tried his luck from distance, but hit the side-netting.

A Hudson cross from the right was then missed by Millard and flashed across the face of goal.

The second-half started with a penetrating run from striker Shawn Beveney down the right, but Garrard made another brave save.

Williams missed a sitter before Ks responded and Martyn Lee had a 25 yard drive pushed away by the diving Millard.

The only goal came on 57 minutes and it was real quality. Dickson went on a run down the left, leaving Ks' defenders trailing, and coolly slipped the ball past the outcoming Garrard.

Ks came bouncing back and were unlucky not to draw level almost immediately.

A Hudson cross was half-cleared to Jarvis, who drilled the ball past Millard, but Tozer popped up to clear off the line.

With four minutes to go, a Gary Drewett free-kick skimmed off a Hamlet head to Hudson, but he just couldn't force the ball home. The game ended with a trademark Leworthy turn way out on the left.

Ambitiously he tried to find the far corner of the net, but failed to provide what would have been a fairytale ending for the Ks.

Ks: Garrard; Hudson, Potterill, Jarvis, Sills (capt), Lewington, Corbett (Boosey, 63mins), Drewett, Reid (Leworthy, 82mins), Amoako, Lee (Coke, 90mins).

Subs not used: Symes, Salaam. Att: 381.