Hastings United 0 Kingstonian 0

A win against strugglers Maidstone United next Saturday at Kingsmeadow, in the last game of the season, should see the K's have a crack at promotion to the Conference South, something they could not have ever imagined after their disastrous start to the seaon.

Hastings had to win this game to have a chance of finishing in the top five and not surprisingly right from the off tested the K's backline with some ferocity.

Early on the K's backline looked nervous but fortunately keeper Rob Tolfrey, in player of the season form, made a series of superb first half saves that kept his side in contention.

The U's challenge started to dissipate late on and with the shrewd introduction of attackers Carl Wilson-Denis and Dean Lodge the Ks might have snatched a controversial winner in additional time which would have been cheeky after defending for most of the game, but Us keeper Steve Williams also made an excellent double save.

It was Tolfrey who was in the thick of it on just five minutes when he collided on the edge of his box with skipper Francis Duku and U's striker Ross Treleaven. Fortunately for the K's the magic sponge did its job well.

Then Treleaven set up Michael Phillips on the K's penalty spot, he turned and sent in a powerful rising drive that was pushed away by a perfectly-placed Tolfrey.

On ten minutes a cross from winger Liam Bellamy found Treleaven close in but his header was tipped away by a full-stretch Tolfrey.

Russell Eldridge made it to the follow-up first but his powerful drive was again blocked by a diving Tolfrey.

On 14 minutes the K's had their best chance of the half when a Jolley ruun down the middle of the park ended with a well-struck drive that Williams did well to push out for a corner.

Then John Fletcher was caught in possession by Eldridge on the edge of the K's box and he let loose a rasping drive that again was pushed out by a well-positioned Tolfrey, Phillips sent Treleaven down the left at some pace but his dangerously searching cross was cut out by Adam Thompson before Bellamy could make more of it.

Treleaven then sent striker Sam Adams down the right but his effort was straight at Tolfrey. Then Fletcher redeemed himself blocking the busy Treleaven close in after Adams had also been been blocked.

The half ended with a Matt Gray free-kick from the left which was easy meat for Williams in a crowded home box.

Five minutes into the second half an Eldridge free-kick from the right bounced around the K's box before central defender and skipper Sean Ray headed straight at Tolfrey. A cross from Eldridge saw a scrum on the K's goalline until referee Darren Blunden spotted a push by Treleaven.

On 64 minutes it was that man Tolfrey again when Eldridge set up Adams but his powerfully struck rising drive was blocked by an alert Tolfrey. The K's though started to come back into the game, Fletcher released lone striker Bobby Traynor down the right but his high cross went begging.

A long high ball from Luke Hickie was headed clear from a lurking Traynor by Williams just a yard or two out of his box.

An Eldridge free-kick curled over the K's defensive wall but straight to Tolfrey on his line. Then sub Tyrone Sterling whipped in a cross from the left right across the face of the K's goal.

With three minutes of additional time sub Dean Lodge was testing the U's backline with some pacy runs. He found fellow sub Wilson-Denis deep in the home box but Williams was out quickly to make a brave block.

Jolley made the follow-up and sent in a powerful drive that was saved by Williams at full-stretch.

K's. 1. Rob Tolfrey 2. John Fletcher 3. Bashiru Alimi 4. Adam Thompson 5. Francis Duku (capt) 6. Simon Huckle 7. Matt Gray 8. Mo Harkin (sub Carl Wilson-Denis, 60 minutes) 9. Bobby Traynor (sub Dean Lodge, 83mins) 10. Luke Hickie 11. Christian Jolley.

Subs: 12. Lee Hall (not used) 13. Luke Garrard (G/k -not used) 14. Max Hustwick (not used) 15. Carl Wilson-Denis 16. Dean Lodge.

Ks Yellow Cards: Duku.

Attendance: 715