Kingstonian slumped to a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Hastings United on Monday night at Kingsmeadow in the Ryman Premier League.
Hastings midfielder Danny Ellis scored the only goal with a crisp shot from the edge of the box in the 73rd minute to kill of any lingering hopes Kingstonian had of securing a play-off place.
Manager Alan Dowson admitted after the match that he thought the play-offs were out of the question “weeks ago” and that the performance against relegated threatened Hastings was “not very good”.
He said: “To be honest, it’s been one of those seasons.”
The K’s started the season well; however the team hit two rough patches of form during a lengthy winter period which derailed their promotion bid.
Hastings dominated lengthy periods of the match and had two efforts cleared off the line, although K’s defender Tom Bird nearly drew the home side level but his free-kick struck the post in the 79th minute.
Just a handful of league matches remain this season and Dowson has vowed to select young players in preparation for the next campaign.
He said: “I’m best off sticking with the younger ones who might get something out of it for next season.”
Kingstonian’s next league fixture takes them to lowly Wingate and Finchley on Saturday 13th April.
