Lampton last-minute hero for Ks

2:11pm Monday 14th April 2008

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Kingstonian 1 Croydon Athletic 0

A last-gasp goal from NJ Lampton kept Kingstonian's play-off hopes alive on Saturday.

Nothing looks like stopping Worthing, who walloped Corinthian Casuals 5-1.

But Met Police were beaten by Dover Athletic and have a tough run-in, so perhaps provide the best hope of Ks forcing their way in.

The game turned on the sending off of Rams defender Luke Adams after 20 minutes.

Ks then turned on the pressure, but Croydon's youngsters defended well and keeper Michael Lidbury made a series of top-drawer saves.

Torrential rain brought plenty of slipping and sliding, but no goals.

Ks went close in the final minute when Simon Sobihy struck a post with Lidbury beaten.

But they clinched the points three minutes into additional time when Lampton headed home the winner.

The Rams almost took the lead after four minutes when Adams' bullet header drew a point-blank save from Luke Garrard.

For minutes later Dean Lodge's drive was pushed away by Lidbury at full stretch. Simon Huckle netted the rebound, but was ruled out for offside.

After 16 minutes, Sobihy powerfully headed over Tommy Williams' corner.

Four minutes later Lodge went on a run from the centre spot and the chasing Adams upended him on the edge of the Rams box.

Referee Dean Martin produced the inevitable red card.

But although Ks dominated after that, they lacked composure in front of goal.

Wayne Finnie's throw found Gavin Cartwright unmarked, but he belted over and Lampton did the same from Lodge's cross.

Finnie's fine through ball set striker Bobby Traynor free down the middle. Lidbury left his box to narrow the angle and Traynor's lob went just wide.

Good possession saw Danny Waldren strike a firm shot from the edge of the Ks box that Garrard smothered.

Five minutes before half-time, Moses Ademola's powerful low cross was well held by Garrard with Lamin Ojo lurking.

The half ended with Williams' free kick being comfortably held by Lidbury.

Straight from the restart, Lodge took off on a run sending in a cross for Huckle close in but his header was pushed away one-handed by a full-stretch Lidbury. Lodge had a go from the edge of the away box but his shot was wide.

A Huckle flick found Sobihy close in but again Lidbury made a fine block and the loose ball was hacked away. The heavens then opened as the ball got increasingly caught up in the surface water.

Williams turned in another free-kick that was missed by all in the Rams goalmouth.

Lodge sent in a 25-yarder that was held by Lidbury. He was also on hand to block a Lodge run inside the Croydon box, the ball was half-cleared to Williams but he blasted over.

Huckle then sent Lodge down the right but he shot too early into the side-netting. Another edge of the box free-kick from Williams fell to Lampton but his cross into the Rams goalmouth was cleared.

A high Sobihy cross from the left fell to Lampton deep in the away box but he couldn't get a shot through a forest of legs.

A Lampton through ball saw Lidbury out of his box to clear from Traynor. Then defender Bradley Duke made a fine saving tackle deep in his own box to deny Lodge.

In the final minute Sobihy popped up to fire home a drive that at last beat Lidbury but struck the far post.

Three minutes later a Williams corner from the right into a jam-packed Rams goalmouth saw the ball bobble about until man of the match NJ LAMPTON took control and nodded home past Lidbury from a yard or so.

Kingstonian: Garrard, Beer, Coke, Sobihy (captain), Finnie, Cartwright, Lampton, Williams, Traynor, Huckle, Lodge. Subs not used: Suchy, Summers, Goddard, Sheridan, Naughton (goalkeeper).Table One Ks man of the match: NJ LamptonAttendance: 259