Kings fell to a third consecutive defeat against a lively Walton Casuals side and once again the lack of firepower up front cost them dear, the 1-0 scoreline being the eighth such result in a troubled season.

With Edu and Crawford sidelined again and Brad Wadkins on the slow path to rehabilitation following an operation, Kings fielded a new strike force of Joseph Lawal, on loan from Slough Town and Max Bustamante. It looked promising in the opening exchanges, with a Jamie Jellis through ball giving Bustamante an opening with his shot just over and Lawal’s persistence and cross almost finding his partner, but the Stags showed why they are rising up the table by beginning to dominate midfield.

A Tarik Moore-Azille shot brought a great save from Jack Smith and Gabriel Odunaike was guilty of a glaring miss when he failed to capitalise on a lucky ricochet. With both defences looking solid, the game settled and long high balls did little to warm the crowd, with a distinct lack of finesse on show. However, Kings were caught out when a long raking ball from the left on the halfway line found Adam Liddle and he kept his cool to beat defender and keeper on the very cusp of halftime.

The visitors penned Kings in for the first fifteen minutes of the second half, but a beleaguered defence kept them in the game and a through ball from Jamie Jellis gave Will Hoskins an opening but he was forced wider than he would have liked and his shot lacked power. The introduction of Gary Connolly in midfield was having some effect and from his wing pass Max Bustamante’s run ended with a shot just wide.

To their credit, Kings had turned the tide and came agonisingly close with a Harry Tucker header cleared off the line, a feat repeated in the resultant scramble. But the unkindest cut of all came eight minutes from time when a superb dipping free kick from the left by Jamie Jellis smacked the crossbar and rebounded to safety.

The contest ground to what seemed an inevitable conclusion and while there were causes for optimism, the need for points for survival becomes more acute with every passing match.