Kingstonian slipped a place to fifth with a second consecutive home league defeat to Tonbridge Angels, who now enter play-off territory.
The game was really about who could master the elements with a soggy pitch and a ferocious end-to-end gale towards the Kingston Road.
The Angels were more than comfortable with the difficult conditions and sat on an impressive 3-1 lead at half-time.
The Ks enjoyed the wind-assisted advantage in the second half but left it late before pulling a goal back through a Bobby Traynor penalty on 75 minutes with the visitors reduced to ten men.
But the Angels defended extremely well and frustrated the Ks whose final period of pressure was too little too late and were certainly missing the injured Dean Lodge.
The Ks have a busy week with a trip to Boreham Wood on Tuesday night November 17th (7.45pm) in the Ryman Premier League and then next Sunday November 22nd (3pm) Ks entertain Chippenham Town at Kingsmeadow in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy.
The Ks were facing the gale but started the game impressively with a short, passing move that saw Christian Jolley turn and have a go from 25 yards which wasn't very far over.
But a minute later disaster for the home side as the Angels scored with their very first attack of the game.
LIAM HARWOOD, just inside the Ks box, had his first shot blocked, but made sure with second sending it home through a forest of legs.
On seven minutes though the K's drew level when a backline-splitting through ball from Jolley set BOBBY TRAYNOR free and he coolly slotted the ball home low past the outcoming Angels keeper Lee Worgan.
Six minutes later Angels skipper Anthony Storey's 25 yard free-kick was tipped over by K's keeper Luke Garrard.
On 16 minutes good possession by Jolley out on the right saw a cross that picked out Bashiru Alimi on the far post but he volleyed over first-time.
Angels winger Kirk Watts cut in from the left and sent in a very dangerous cross onto the far post where an under-pressure Garrard made a vital punch to clear.
Then a long throw from Angels winger Steve Ferguson was flicked onto an unmarked Carl Rook on the far post, his header looked goalbound, until Garrard made a brilliant point-blank block on his line conceding a corner.
On 23 minutes the Angels restored their lead when centre back LEE MINSHULL on the edge of the K's box squeezed a low drive through a crowded box that rebounded in off the inside off the post.
On 36 minutes it was number three when Angels striker PAUL BOOTH drew Garrard way out on the right and then blasted the ball home into the far corner from a very acute angle and also past Adam Thompson full-stretch on the Ks goalline. Then Watts set defender Tom Bryant off down the left but he sliced his eventual drive wide.
The second half started with an edge of the K's box free-kick from Booth but his drive was deflected off the defensive wall for a corner.
From that Ferguson corner Marc Cumberbatch headed wide. The impressive Ferguson then took off down the right but his cross was pushed out by Garrard on the near post.
Then Jolley set striker Carl Wilson-Denis free into the away box but he was way offside. On 72 minutes a Ferguson cross from the left was smothered by Garrard.
It was Jolley again with a run down the left and cross that was headed over his own bar by Cumberbatch.
From the Matt Gray corner Wilson-Denis got his foot to the to the ball in a scrum on the far post which was blocked by Bryant with his arm said referee Gavin Muge and he received a straight red card ignoring Bryant and his team-mates vehement protests.
On 75 minutes upstepped BOBBY TRAYNOR who nonchalantly swept the spot-kick home to his left. A cross from the left flank by Mo Harkin didn't worry Worgan too much.
A throw from Gray from the right caught in the wind and bounced invitingly in the Angels goalmouth before Worgan mopped up. Max Hustwick's wind assisted 25 yarder was Kingston Road bound.
With five minutes of additional time their was still hope for the home side but Rook broke completely free down the left and should have scored, he slipped the ball past the outcoming Garrard, but the wrong side of the far post.
Then a Harkin cross from the left found Traynor deep in the away box but he headed over.
Late sub Lewis Cook finished off a run down the left, cut in but his powerful drive was well saved by Worgan on his line.
Ks. 1. Luke Garrard (capt) 2. Adam Thompson 3. Bashiru Alimi (sub Lewis Cook, 79mins) 4. Max Hustwick 5. Francis Duku 6. Des Boateng (sub Karl Beckford, 60mins) 7. Matt Gray 8. Mo Harkin 9. Bobby Traynor 10. Carl Wilson-Denis 11. Christian Jolley.
Subs: 12. Rob Sheridan (not used) 13. Rob Tolfrey (G/k - not used) 14. Karl Beckford 15. Lewis Cook 16. Lee Hall (not used).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here