Horsham match report
match report by Simon Grier
Kingstonian's exploits in the FA Cup and Trophy have already marked this out as a season to remember. But the 13 games in the two competitions are now starting to catch up with Hayden Bird's thinly-stretched squad, who conceded another late equaliser to record a third consecutive draw. The playoffs are surely now out of reach.
Saturday's game with Bognor was an entertaining affair with a wealth of chances at both ends. This game, on the other hand, was far scrappier contest with chances at a premium on a cold night.
Eddie Dsane again looked lively but again was denied the chance to open his goalscoring account for Ks. He came close on 14 minutes after a skilful run, only to see his effort on goal take a thin deflection before crashing off the outside of the post.
Rob Tolfrey, playing against his former club, had to make two good first half saves. The first was from a close range Chris Smith effort and the second to keep out a longer range shot from Jack Brivio.
Dan Bennett twice came close for Ks, putting a header narrowly over and then seeing goalkeeper George Bentley tip a fizzing twenty-yarder wide. But the Hornets came closet of all on the stroke of half time when Lee Harding blasted past Tolfrey only to see the ball rebound off the inside of the post.
The breakthrough for Ks came ten minutes after half time. Ks lobbed the ball over the defence towards the corner of the penalty box where Dan Hector beat the outrushing Bentley to the ball. Hector put Ks ahead with an expert finish, doing superbly to lob the goalkeeper while running away from goal, getting enough pace on it to prevent the defence from clearing off the line.
The game became increasingly scrappy, which was fine for Ks as there were few chances at either end. In fact the closest there was to a goal for a long time was when Brivio headed narrowly over his own bar at a corner.
But in stoppage time came the sucker punch. Substitute Greg Cundle, a former Ks player, but in a low cross from the right and Gary Charman was on hand to finish from close range. Another frustrating draw from Ks, and no let up to come in a diary that has them playing twice a week until the middle of March.
Kingstonian: Rob Tolfrey, Sean Clohessy, Fabio Saraiva, Simon Cooper, Harry Osborne, Kenny Beaney, Dan Bennett, Tom Kavanagh, Eddie Dsane, Gus Sow, Dan Hector.
Subs: Aaron Lamont (for Dan Bennett, 87m), Ben Harrison, Calum Davies (for Dan Hector, 72m), Sam Oguntayo, Tutu Henriques.
Horsham: George Bentley, Harry Mills, Harvey Sparks, Alex Kelly, Will Miles, Dylan Merchant, Jack Brivio, Lea Dawson, Chris Smith, Kieran Lavery, Lee Harding.
Subs: Steve Metcalf, Gary Charman (for Chris Smith, 85m), Taurean Roberts (for Dylan Merchant, 78m), Noble Rumsey, Greg Cundle.
Goal scorers: Dan Hector (55m, 1-0), Gary Charman (90m, 1-1)
Attendance: 255
