Kingstonian recorded their fifth straight win to continue a fine run of form as the FA Cup showdown with AFC Fylde looms.

The 3-1 result against a spirited Lewes lifted K’s to 14th in the league table with games in hand.

Success in knockout competitions has meant an inevitable lack of focus on the Isthmian Premier in recent weeks.

But manager Hayden Bird was delighted to oversee a first home league win of the season.

“It’s also the first time we’ve won this season having gone behind so we’ve ticked two boxes today!” Bird enthused. “We weren’t at our best but it ended up being comprehensive.”

After an 11th minute Charlie Coppola goal put the K’s 1-0 down, the home side slowly took control.

Tom Kavanagh equalised with a left-foot strike in a crowded box before Louie Theopanous executed a superb solo effort in the second-half.

Then winger Dan Hector raced clear to complete the scoring with a nonchalant dinked finish.

Kavanagh was a driving force throughout from the base of midfield. The 29-year-old is in his third spell with K’s, having first arrived as a 21-year-old under Alan Dowson.

“I always felt there was a bit of unfinished business at K’s,” Kavanagh said.

“As soon as Hayden got the job in the summer, he let me know and it was a no-brainer. Tolfrey is a good friend of mine and I had good memories of life here. I loved it under Dowse, we were a real tight bunch: me, Laidler, Andre McCollin, Sweeney, Casey. But this side now probably tops that one for team-spirit. You need that in non-league. You spend more time with your team-mates than your family! You saw that today when we went a goal down, we had the spirit to come back.”

Bird infamously used a live BBC FA Cup broadcast last week to gently rib Kavanagh for not having made an assist all season but the midfielder was quick to point to his other statistics. “Don’t worry about assists, look at the goals! Eight goals, four pens!”

K’s play Enfield Town on Wednesday evening at King George’s Field before hosting AFC Sudbury in the FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round next Saturday.

Tickets are now on sale for the FA Cup second-round clash on 30 November 2019 against AFC Fylde. The game is “all-ticket”, available from the Banquet Records website and in person at the next two home games. Children go free.