Kingstonian defender Francis Duku reckons Ks are close to finding their best league form and eliminating their defensive woes after back-to-back 1-0 victories.

An 87th minute strike from Bobby Traynor saw boss Alan Dowson’s men complete a Ryman League Premier Division double over Carshalton Athletic to move fourth in the table.

The Kingsmeadow chief has been critical of his defence this season as he has seen his side ship 33 league goals so far, despite recovering from a horror start to the campaign.

But towering centre-back Duku, who signed for the club from Walton Casuals in the summer, believes they are close to putting it right as they bid to maintain a credible play-off challenge.

“Getting a cleansheet against Carshalton was the most pleasing aspect of the match, particularly in shutting out one of the league’s top marksmen in Richard Jolly,” he said.

“There has been a large number of players come in since the start of the season and there have been some big changes, which meant all the pre-season work has had to be re-examined.

“We are still working hard through that in training to get things right and bit by bit we feel we are getting there. We are not far away from getting it right.”

Ks slipped up on Monday night against a young Crystal Palace outfit as they crashed 3-2 in the Surrey Senior Cup third round, despite goals from Christian Jolley and Max Hustwick.

It meant Kingstonian have just the league to concentrate on having fallen to Chippenham Town in the FA Trophy last month and proved there is still work to be done with the back four.

But Duku insists it is the league where it counts and a run of form through December should mean Dowson’s squad are well placed for a promotion assault.

“The last two league results have given ourselves a good base to build on. If we can get four or five results you do throw yourself up there,” he added.

“Anyone from second to tenth is in with a chance of consolidating their position over the next few weeks and then seeing what happens.

“The games come thick and fast over the next few weeks. We still need to consolidate after our poor start and see where it takes us.”

Kingstonian’s next three games: Dec 6 Hendon (h), 8 AFC Hornchurch (a), 12 Sutton United (a).