Dowson takes blame for Ks' failure

6:26am Thursday 10th April 2008

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Boss Alan Dowson has labelled himself not good enough to take Kingstonian to the play-offs this season but has vowed to bounce back with a promotion-winning team next year.

The 37-year-old Geordie took the blame for Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Chatham Town that ended a five-match unbeaten league run and all but extinguished hopes of a Ryman Division One South top-five finish.

Ks are three points adrift of in-form Worthing and goal-difference means the Sussex side must slip up twice in their three remaining games to open the door for Ks.

Dowson has struggled to find the winning formula since watching Ks make a blistering start to the campaign, which brought nine wins from 13 games.

But, despite recruiting heavily this term, they seem destined to miss the play-offs, and Dowson admits his squad has not been good enough.

"It has been a massive disappointment and I have been devastated all weekend," he said.

"I thought at the start of the season we had a chance to be in the top five, but the league table does not lie.

"Being more than 30 points behind the top team and outside the play-offs says I was wrong.

"We have not been able to beat any of the top five away from home and we have not killed off teams at the bottom.

"I don't like to say the players have let me down because I am the one responsible for signing them.

"It is my fault. I have got to take the blame.

"I will be judged on my signings and, at the moment, they have been shown to be not good enough.

"I will not be throwing around contracts. We have got a good budget, but we must get it right next year."

Simon Huckle's solitary strike was the only highlight from a disappointing weekend and followed confirmation on Thursday that Ks had been kicked out of the Surrey Senior Cup.

But Dowson urged his players to finish the season with a bang.

"I will not let this season fizzle out. We need to win our last three games," he added.

Remaining games: Apr 12 Croydon Athletic (h), 21 Whyteleafe (h), 26 Eastbourne Town (h).