Boss Alan Dowson reckons one unsung hero will have played a major part should Kingstonian secure promotion to the Blue Square South this season.

A 0-0 draw with Hastings United on Saturday ended a run of three defeats and left Ks needing to win at struggling Maidstone United to be certain of a top five finish in their first season since winning the Ryman League Division One South.

Ks youth vice-chairman and chief scout Adrian Withers has put together a detailed dossier of the division’s top ten teams since Christmas to ensure Dowson is fully briefed on whoever they face should they reach the play-offs.

And it means the manager need only concentrate on getting the points his team still needs to reach the end of season lottery, where Withers’ research will prove invaluable.

“I’m looking no further than the Maidstone game because we still need to win the game and finish the season well,” he added.

“Adrian has done a brilliant job and it means we’ll be up to speed on our opponents should we finish in the top five. I haven’t had to worry about getting to see other games at all.

“The way things are we might not need anything from the weekend. We could need one point, three points or no points. It is still wide open for us.

“I couldn’t care less what the score is providing we win and we get to the play-offs.”

Ks, who play Walton & Hersham in a friendly on Wednesday, could have secured a top five spot without kicking a ball should Tonbridge Angels and Wealdstone fail to win either of their midweek games this week.

They might have put their position beyond doubt had Simon Huckle scored one of three late chances to win at the weekend, but Dowson was simply delighted to have taken a point from the trip to East Sussex.

“I’m just pleased to have stopped the rot. The three defeats didn’t bother us, but eople would have been gettong on our backs if we’d made it one more,” he added.

“We haven’t got any injuries. The only problem we have is that some players have got enough games under their belts which is wehy we’re having the friendly.”

Kingstonian’s last game: Apr 24 Maidstone Utd (a).