Kingstonian's difficult week, in which manager Alan Dowson announced he was taking time off to address a health issue, ended in a harsh 2-1 defeat at Margate.

Under the capable guidance of assistant coach Mark Hams, Ks once again created numerous chances but succumbed to a late counterattack, Kwesi Appiah applying the final touch deep into injury time on the Kent coast.

“It's gutting. We've done so well and the game can be crueller than cruel sometimes,” said Hams, who was nevertheless positive about the team's performance.

“It was a case of 'go and enjoy yourselves, don't feel any pressure at all – not because the manager's not here at the moment. Just try to win the game.'

Somewhere along the line it will click. We'll get ourselves on a run.”

Hams also confirmed that Dowson will have as long as it takes to make a full return to the dugout.

“Dowse is doing the right thing for himself and he's resting up,” said Hams.

“I need to make it clear that as far as I'm concerned he is the manager of this football club.

"He's got to do what's right for him. As much as we all love the game, and we hate losing, and it means a lot to us, it's more important that he gets himself straight.”

Saturday was the story of Ks' season: clear opportunities missed and the concession of soft goals.

Margate took the lead in the sixth minute when captain Gary MacDonald put the ball into this own net but the away side came back well.

MacDonald himself headed over at the right end soon afterwards.

Mo Harkin started to play intelligent balls in behind the full-backs and the mounting pressure paid off when Sam Clayton was fouled after jumping for a header in the box and Bobby Traynor converted the penalty.

In the second-half, it was the Simon Huckle show but the lanky midfielder's four goalscoring chances went begging before Margate's Adam Burchell evaded three defenders to set up the winner in the 93rd minute.

Kingstonian make the long trip to Bury on Tuesday night and visit struggling Horsham on Saturday.