Hard-to-please Kingstonian boss Alan Dowson blasted his men for what he described as a ‘pathetic performance’ in beating table-topping Sutton United on Monday.

Super-sub Bashiru Alimi netted a late winner as Ks beat Paul Doswell’s Ryman Premier League leaders 1-0 at Kingsmeadow, to follow Saturday’s 2-0 win at Canvey Island.

Dowson’s men are unbeaten in their last five matches and sit second in the table - with only goal difference seperating them and United.

But the manager was far from happy with his side’s display in a game he felt they didn’t deserve to win.

“I was delighted with the result, but very disappointed with the performance,” he said.

“We were absolutely pathetic in the first half and not much better in the second. We couldn’t keep hold of the ball.

“We dug in and tried hard, but it was a bit smash and grab. We were very lucky and, if we are honest, we didn’t deserve anything out of it.”

Goals from Max Hustwick and Bobby Traynor got the goals that gave Ks a victory in Essex at the weekend, despite being reduced to ten-men thanks to Jean-Sylvain Dossou’s red card.

The midfielder will miss the league clash with re-born Croydon Athletic, but Dowson doubts he will be missed.

“Jean has been doing alright for us and played well at the weekend, but if you raise your hands you have to go these days,” he added.

“We’ve got Gary MacDonald and Mo Harkin to come back in over the next couple of weeks so I imagine we’ll be fine.”

Kingstonian’s next three games: Oct 9 St Albans City (FAC, a), 12 Walton & Hersham (LCup, a), 16 Faversham Town (FAT, a).