Walton & Hersham 0-3 Kingstonian

A reckless early foul that took Sam Clayton out of the game backfired on Walton and Hersham, as his replacement Dean Lodge entered the fray far earlier than expected. Lodge proved the architect of an impressive 3-0 win for a Ks team which included just two starters from Sunday's FA Trophy exit - two more than may have been expected for the least important competition of the season.

Ashley Quashie was the man whose foul saw Clayton stretchered off with ligament damage in just the fourth minute. The referee only showed Quashie the yellow card, but after another robust challenge a few minutes later, his manager Chuck Martini withdrew him in favour of Bernie Asante - making it five ex-Ks on the field for the Swans.

Alan Dowson probably hoped to only use Lodge for a short run-out but his early introduction gave Ks an extra creative spark. At the end of the first half his pace got the better of Asante down the right and Simon Huckle met his cross with an impressive header that beat Roberto Gagliardi.

Prior to that sucker punch, the first half had been dominated by the home side. Dean Thomas fired over in just the second minute and then headed over on fifteen after some neat skill from Phil Williams. Liam Collins shot over after robbing Jean-Sylvain Dossou in the middle of the park, Kenny Ojukwa fired wide from a tough angle and Nic Taylor was equal to a Williams header. Ks, meanwhile, had few chances in the half, with Gagliardi saving easily from debutant Tom Bolorinwa and Huckle having a goal correctly ruled out for offside.

Sam Robinson fired a free kick over the bar after the break, following a Collins foul for which the midfielder was booked. Just a Collins was dismissed, when Lodge beat him for pace as he surged into the box, drawing a clumsy late challenge. Lodge converted the penalty twice, after the referee ordered a retake due to encroachment.

Walton came close another three times but luck was not on their side - Ojukwa hit the post, Asante the bar and Matt Ruby had to hack the ball clear after Taylor failed to claim a cross from the left. Ks also went down to ten men in this period, as Robinson received his marching orders for two fouls in quick succession.

Bolarinwa came close twice for Ks before the home side gifted Ks a third goal. Adam Howarth slipped before he could receive a regulation pass, allowing Huckle through on goal to score with an audacious chip of the sort he may not have tried in a game that actually meant something.

The Swans deserved a goal but Adam El Haddad had his late effort deflected wide, leaving Martini to reflect on how a lack of clinical finishing left his side to lose 3-0 in a game that had a fairly equal balance of play. Dowson, meanwhile, while have seen performances from the likes of Ruby, Bolarinwa and substitute Josh Bonnett that may give him cause to give them a chance against Hastings on Sunday.