A late Elliott Buchanan header made it five home wins in a row for Kingstonian on Saturday.
The final 2-1 scoreline was all the more dramatic for coming against the odds following the first-half dismissal of defender Tommy Brewer. Despite playing just under an hour with 10 men, it was K’s who looked the stronger side while Lewes, who were sitting second in the league at kick-off, seemed complacently becalmed.
The afternoon had begun with Leigh Dynan’s men on the front foot. Crystal Palace loanee James Daly returned to the team on the left flank, linking well with fellow Eagle starlet Tyler Brown as Mark Bright looked on from the mainstand.
Striker Louie Theophanous threatened throughout and it was his superb touch and shot which led to the opening goal on 15 minutes. Lewes goalkeeper Lewis Carey could only parry the effort and Daly followed up for an easy tap-in.
Brewer was then harshly booked for kicking the ball away and when the K’s man went in hard on a Lewes player near the centre circle, the referee showed him a second yellow.
Soon after half-time, Bermuda international Jonte Smith equalised with a close-range finish. Given K’s luck this season, this would normally have portended a collapse.
Not this time. K’s in fact started to dominate and Charlton winger Alfie Doughty came on to show his quality. With four minutes remaining, Doughty beat the Lewes full-back and swung an outrageous cross into the box right on to the head of the arriving Buchanan who, with a slight adjustment, powered the ball into the net to set off wild celebrations.
After the FA Trophy defeat at Bedford Town last week, K’s needed a boost and have now climbed to 11th in the league – with the second best home record in the division offset by being second worst away from King George’s Field.
Leaders Tonbridge visit Tolworth on Wednesday evening before K's head to Burgess Hill Town on Saturday.
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