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Kingstonian 1
1
Okojie (75')
0 Lowestoft Town
0

Dee wins it for Ks

Ks' biggest game for three years drew the most home fans to a game for some years.

A nervous encounter will have provided little entertainment for any neutrals but for the home fans it brought the spectre of playoff qualification a step closer thanks to Dee Okojie pouncing on a Robert Eagle error to give Ks a 1-0 win.

To say that the first half lacked incident would be a massive understatement, with two cautious sides setting out in the knowledge that defeat would be catastrophic for their promotion hopes. The war-wounded Matt Drage suffered a nasty fall early on but recovered to block a Curtley Williams effort, while Andre McCollin lashed against the post from distance.

Things picked up after the break with Ryan Moss played in on goal only to lob well over the bar. Thereafter the visitors took over, creating a number of chances which threatened to derail Ks' season for good.

Jake Reed beat the offside trap on 48 minutes but Rob Tolfrey stood up well to deny him when one-on-one while most of the defence looked forlornly for a flag that never arrived.

Next the Ks goalkeeper tipped a Jack Ainsley shot over the bar four minutes before making an easier save when the same player had been set up by Reed. On 67 minutes he saved superbly when Ainsley found Reed at the far post, athletically reaching the striker's volley.

Tolfrey was also reliable in saving an Adam Smith long-shot which bounced nastily in front of him. Ks then struck the decisive blow against the run of play when Eagle trod awkwardly on the ball in his own penalty area, allowing substitute Okojie to steal in and beat ex-K Ashlee Jones with the outside of his boot.

The closing quarter of an hour seemed more nerve-wracking for the fans than it was for the players who were admirably resilient. The best chance fell to Michael Frew but Daniel Pappoe blocked it in a goalmouth scramble as Ks took a vital three points.

Report: Simon Grier

Published Wednesday 12th September 2018