Some deadly finishing from sub Bashiru Alimi gave Kingstonian victory in their Monday night derby clash with Sutton United at Kingsmeadow.

Games between these two are never ordinary and, with both sides in the top three of the Ryman Premier League, this was edge of the seat stuff.

United showed why they are title favourites and their passing game was a joy to watch as they pushed Ks back for an hour.

But skipper Adam Thompson, Max Hustwick and Tobi Jinadu proved impenetrable in the centre of Ks’ defence.

Early on, Ks striker Bobby Traynor who set up attacking defender Dean Hamlin, who started with Sutton, on the edge of the box but his effort rebounded off centre back Darren Ebsworth.

Then a right-wing corner from another ex-Sutton man Matt Gray was headed over on the near post by Max Hustwick.

After 13 minutes, Sutton showed their class when a Tom Davis corner was cheekily backheeled by Karl Murray against the near post and striker Fola Orilonishe just failed to finish off the goalmouth scramble.

A volley from Sutton striker Richard Jolly was pushed out by an alert Rob Tolfrey.

Then Bradley Woods-Garness thundered the ball into a crowded Ks goalmouth but Hamlin cleared.

After 33 minutes, Orilonishe found Elvis Hammond but Hustwick blocked.

Then Hustwick stopped an Orilonishe run. In the final minute of the first half a Orilonishe run and cross down from the left flank saw Jolly head wide of the far post. there was still time for a Murray run down the right, he tried to find Jolyl but Thompson intervened.

On 47 minutes a rare Ks attack saw an edge of the box drive from Gray was smothered by United keeper Kevin Scriven.

Jean-Sylvain Dossou upended Orilonishe and was yellow carded, but Woods-Garness fired the free-kick wide.

A low cross from Orilonishe was cut out by a diving Tolfrey.

Ks were starting to emerge from the bombardment. Gray found Traynor free down the mddle of the park but he turned and fired straight at Scriven.

Then Hamlin’s cross found Traynor deep in the Sutton box but he headed over.

An Ebsworth cross from the left found Jolly deep in the Ks box but he headed wide of the far post.

Tom Bird’s cross meant for a lurking Traynor deep in the United box was seen out by Sam Page.

Just as a draw seemed the only conclusion, and with three minutes remaining, a Jinadu high looping header set ex-Sutton man BASHIRU ALIMI free down the right in the United box and from an acute angle he managed to gently lift the ball home over the outcoming Scriven.

With five minutes of additional time Sutton pressed forward but a Murray cross was headed clear by Hamlin.

A high ball deep in the Ks box from United sub Craig Dundas was well held by a nerves-free Tolfrey.

Ks: 1, Rob Tolfrey 2. Dean Hamlin 3. Tom Bird 4. Adam Thompson (capt) 5. Max Hustwick 6. Tobi Jinadu 7. Matt Gray 9. Bobby Traynor (sub Gomez Dali, 90mins) 10. Carl Wilson-Denis (sub Bashiru Alimi, 74mins) 11. Lee Hall (sub Dean Lodge, 67mins).

Subs: 12. Sam Clayton (not used) 14. Dean Lodge 15. Gomez Dali 16. Bashiru Alimi. 17. Nic Taylor (G/k - not used) K's Yellow Cards: Hall, Dossou. Attendance: 750.

Ks visit Conference South side St Albans City in an FA Cup third qualifying round tie on Saturday.