It is a blip or is it a slump? The Kingstonian promotion challenge stuttered again on Saturday, this time to mid-table Chatham Town, who earlier this month dumped Ks out of the FA Trophy. It was the K's first home defeat of the season in Ryman League Division One South as they squandered a number of good chances to walk away with the game.

Full credit goes to a well-organized Chatham side, who crowned a good spell at the beginning of the second half with a goal that was good enough to secure all three points.

Ks manager Alan Dowson had a strong bench including ex-Tooting striker Carl Gibbs and former Leatherhead midfielder Jamie Beer, so perhaps changes are imminent.

In the seventh minute it was the in-form Dean Lodge who darted into the Chats box with a trademark pacy run but his drive was deflected for a corner. A long high ball from Jon Coke aimed at striker Bobby Traynor was taken by keeper John Whitehouse on the edge of the Chats box.

On 13 minutes an Aaron Goode through ball meant for Lodge was again taken by an alert Whitehouse. A minute later the visitors had their first attack of the game when Mark Brookes struck wide from just outside the K's box.

On 17 minutes a Chats corner broke down allowing Saheed Sankoh to sprint towards the away box. He pushed the ball up to Lodge whose powerful drive saw an excellent block from Whitehouse, Sankoh got to the follow-up but the Chats keeper mopped up. Then a Lodge cross from the left found an unmarked Traynor on the far post, his placed drive beat Whitehouse but centre back Daniel Larkin headed the ball away to safety.

On 24 minutes the Chats responded when a delicate chip from ther busy Darren Smith found striker Gavin Schulz darting into the K's box but he volleyed over. The Chats threatened again when a Sam Groombridge chip over Gavin Cartwright set skipper Rob Goodger free into the K's box but he fired over. Ks responded immediately when Goode cut in from the right beating two but again Whitehouse parried his well-struck drive away.

Goodger then cut in from the left with the K's backline in disarray but his crossfield ball was never going to find a an unmarked Schulz. In the final minute of the half Smith had a go from 25 yards that drew a full-strength save from Luke Garrard.

It was the visitors who looked dangerous right from the start of the second half and on 53 minutes scored the only goal of the game. Goodger tore into the K's box and sent in a powerful drive that Garrard did well to block but an unmarked Schulz was on hand to mop up from close range.

Ks could have equalized five minutes later when a far post cross from Traynor found an unmarked Lodge but he headed just wide of the far post. Whitehouse then tipped away a Lodge cross which fell to Traynor on the edge of the Chats box but he blasted over. An inswinging Neil Lampton corner was then swept off the Chats goalline by defender Tim Davey. A Lodge free-kick then found Coke on the edge of the away box but he fired over.

With seven minutes to go there was another excellent opportunity for Ks to draw level when a Lodge free-kick found an unmarked Cartwright close in but he disappointingly headed over. Then a long high ball found Goode but he also nodded over.

A long ball saw Larkin and Whitehouse in a muddle on the edge of the away box, Traynor latched onto the ball but the Chats keeper got back to punch the ball out for a corner. In the final minute a Lodge corner was well held by Whitehouse under severe pressure on the far post.

There was still time for a penetrating run from Goode which saw him find sub Carl Gibbs in the away box but his far post cross sailed out.

Ks. 1 Luke Garrard 2 Aaron Goode 3 Nick Rundell 4 Simon Sobihy (capt) 5 Gavin Cartwright 6 Jon Coke 7 Neil Lampton 8 Wes Goggin (sub David Shin, 77mins) 9 Bobby Traynor 10 Saheed Sankoh (sub Carl Gibbs, 68mins) 11 Dean Lodge.

Subs not used: 12 Jamie Beer 16 Danny Summers 19 Luke Naughton.

Ks Yellow Cards: Wes Goggin.

Ks Man of the Match: Dean Lodge.

Attendance: 346.

Kingstonian's Division One South campaign continues with a visit to Croydon Athletic on Tuesday, October 30 (7.30pm).