Kingstonian boss Alan Dowson hailed one of the best performances during his tenure in charge after watching a stunning strike from Aaron Goode secure a 1-0 Ryman Premier League at Carshalton Athletic on Saturday.

In a game of few chances, it took a strike of real quality to separate the teams, yet the hosts squandered the best chance of the game as Paul Vines scuffed a second-half penalty wide.

Ks were without first team regulars, but they proved just too strong for the Robins at Colston Avenue as Dowson's men bounced back from last week's defeat to AFC Hornchurch.

Although the Kingsmeadow chief admitted his men rode their luck.

"That was one of the top three performances in the five years I’ve been in this job," said the manager.

"Our two centre halves were unbelievable today against two of the top strikers in Hamici and Vines."

"Paul’s the best player in our league and he doesn’t miss many chances like that."

Ks dominated possession but struggled to create a clear-cut opportunity early, and were restricted to long-range efforts from Sam Clayton, Saheed Sankoh and Ryan Woods, before Goode audaciously flicked the ball over Vines before firing a volley over the bar.

Ks began the second half with more urgency and Bobby Traynor stung the hands of Carshalton goalie Nick Hamann following a corner.

The ball ended up on the left-wing with Goode, who cut inside two players before launching an unstoppable drive into the top corner that left Hamann grasping at thin air. The goal was a beauty and sent the visiting fans into raptures.

Dowson’s side looked comfortable for the rest of the game, until a bizarre handball decision, that nobody seemed to agree with, gave Carshalton the chance to equalise from the spot.

Vines’ shot sent Rob Tolfrey the wrong way, but dribbled past the keeper’s left-hand post - much to the relief of the manager.

"The players have got to take the credit, they’ve dug in," he said.

"We should be saying how outstanding they are more often.

"Next week looks like a six-pointer now and it’s better to have a six-pointer at this end of the table rather than down the other end."