Hendon 2-1 Kingstonian
K'S FALL IN WEMBLEY'S SHADOWS

Playing under the shadow of the Wembley arch might have inspired some in the FA Cup, but not Ks, who turned in a flat performance as they were eliminated by fellow mid-tablers Hendon. Despite a generally lacklustre display, Ks did look set to bring the Dons back to Kingsmeadow for a replay, but a late moment of madness by John Fletcher gifted the hosts a penalty and ended the visitors' impressive unbeaten run since Dowson Day.

The hosts had the better of the first portion of the game with Glenn Garner coming close before Ks fought back and Bobby Traynor forced James Reading to tip his 25-yarder over. Four minutes later K's were ahead, with Traynor and Dean Lodge combining to tee up Carl Wilson-Denis and the powerful striker found the far corner of Reading's goal.

Ks continued to look threatening but were constantly thwarted in their attempts to double the advantage. Fletcher had a goal disallowed for offside after Simon Huckle had headed across goal, Wilson-Denis was also denied by the linesman while Reading did well to charge out and deny Traynor.

The second half was all about Hendon though and their equaliser on the hour mark had looked a matter of if, not when. Substitute Casey McLaren was the man to find Luke Garrard's net, easily and from close range, after a neat low cross by Wayne O'Sullivan.

Wilson-Denis and Traynor had chances for Ks but it was the Greens who looked more dangerous and in the last ten minutes Ks were very much hanging on for a draw. Garner powered over the bar when he may have done better, Garrard made a good save to deny McLaren a second.

Just as looked like Ks would escape with a draw though, Fletcher inexplicably lunged at substitute James Burgess, heading away from goal at the edge of the penalty area. He immediately sunk to the floor with his head in his hands, knowing he was guilty of a challenge so poor that it wasn't even worth going through the motions of the usual bullying and harassment that Ryman League referees suffer on pointing to the penalty spot. Harry Hunt duly beat Garrard from the spot and Ks were left to rue what might have been.