The lack of a killer instinct in front of goal cost Lowestoft dearly as their play-off hopes took a dip with a single goal defeat at Kingstonian.

As at Wealdstone in midweek, Lowestoft had created the better chances throughout the game but failed to find the net.

Not surprisingly Lowestoft had exactly the same line-up as in midweek and made a promising start to the game forcing a couple of early corners. From the second of these, which Robert Eagle swung in from the right, Sam Gaughran nodded the ball down to Curtley Williams whose close range header was scrambled away off the goal line.

Eagle's surging midfield run and drive from 20 yards saw the ball flash inches wide of the upright before Kingstonian had their first real chance.

There seemed little danger as Andre McCollin picked up the ball in midfield and he took the ball forward before unleashing a rocket of a shot from 30 yards that Ashlee Jones superbly pushed against the post.

With both defences generally on top the game became predominantly a midfield contest as the first half came to an end.

Despite losing captain Dan Gleeson with a head injury early in the second half Lowestoft again took the game to Kingstonian. Jake Reed and Chris Henderson created a shooting chance for Jack Ainsley which Rob Tolfrey stretched to tip over the bar.

Reed then set up Ainsley again but his finish this time went tamely into the hands of the keeper. Adam Smith then joined the attack and his 25 yard drive saw Tolfrey dive to his left to save at the foot of the post.

The Lowestoft defence had coped quite comfortably with all Kingstonian could offer until the 74th minute. Lowestoft for once failed to clear their lines and when Smith stumbled over the ball Dee Okojie pounced to shoot past Jones with the type of incisive finishing that had been lacking in the Lowestoft performance.

Lowestoft tried to get back into the game in the final quarter but could not get a telling strike on the home goal.