Kings Langley edged nearer to the relegation trap door as their nemesis Connor McDonagh turned on the style to register two fine goals to ultimately settle the contest. The feat was a reprise of August’s encounter, when the striker grabbed another brace in the 3-0 scoreline.

Kings named an unchanged starting eleven for the first time, but included 20 year old Aldershot Town prospect Ben De Lacy-Turner on the bench. However, it was an error strewn first ten minutes for the home side as Bradley Hooper hit the side netting and McDonagh headed over, both from good chances. Gradually Langley grew into the game as the half hour approached, but a defence that had kept consecutive clean sheets looked uncharacteristically nervous. There was another let-off as an unmarked Matt Liddiard headed wide from a corner, but as half time approached, the predatory McDonagh picked up the ball on the edge of the box and drove low through the pack into the far corner.

Langley’s one first half chance came with a Jamie Jellis free kick somehow scrambled clear, but they came out after the break with a more positive attitude and the introduction of deadline day signing Ben De Lacy-Turner at last giving some width to their attacks. Jamie Jellis scuffed a chance from a Bradley Wadkins cross as Kings piled on the pressure and were rewarded when a first time cross from Ryan Case was driven home by De Lacy-Turner for the equaliser.

The lead was to last a mere sixty seconds as McDonagh turned on a sixpence to lash home a shot that gave Alfie Marriot no chance and restored an advantage that was to last to the end. With Dorchester widening the gap, it looks as if the Isthmian Premier bottom three will hold the key to Kings’ survival, but the spectre of relegation took one step closer as results elsewhere came in.