Kingstonian boss Alan Dowson reckons his men can approach the play-offs without a care in the world given the season they have already had.

A 0-0 draw with Hastings United on Saturday ended a run of three defeats, and left Ks needing a win at struggling Maidstone United to be certain of a top five finish.

Tuesday night draws for Tonbridge Angels and Wealdstone - who are both in action again on Thursday - mean a point at the weekend could be enough.

Dowson, who led the team to the Ryman league Division One South title this time last year, said last month that he felt missing promotion having reached the play-offs would feel like failure.

But he insists his players can be justly proud of their achievements irrespective of what happens in the end of season lottery - should they get there - and he reckons that could give his side the edge.

“When you consider that one minute I’m getting the sack and the next we could be finishing second in the table, it has been an unbelievable season,” he said.

“I’ve already told the players to remember these times because this sort of season won’t happen again.

“We are not scared of anyone. We can just go out and enjoy it because we’ve already achieved so much and I think that could make a big difference.

“Mentally we are better prepared than anyone because we have known the ups and downs . We can just go and get on with the game because we know we are capable of beating anybody.”

If Kingstonian do win promotion to the Blue Square South in the first season since promotion back into the Ryman League Premier Division, one man will have had a major hand.

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 the key opposition.

And it means the manager need only concentrate on getting the points needed 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 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.

“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, 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 people would have been getting 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 why we’re having the friendly.”

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