Report by Matt Gerrard

Dover's Mr Consistent, Lee Shearer, blotted his copybook after another outstanding defensive display by missing an 86th minute penalty that would have taken all three points in a disappointing game at Kingsmeadow on Tuesday evening. Shearer saw his weak spot kick saved by Ks' keeper Jimmy Glass after substitute Lee McRobert was brought down in the area by Derek Allen in what seemed to be a harsh decision.

In a game that Kingstonian had to win to stand any chance of avoiding relegation they started the livelier side. On-loan West Ham striker Gavin Holligan soon started to cause problems with his vision and pace and he tested Paul Hyde as early as the third minute with a jinking run and shot. Kingstonian's shoot on site policy nearly paid off in the 8th minute, with Mark Beard's 30 yarder just dipping over the bar with Hyde seemingly beaten.

It took the Whites 16 minutes to get their first effort on goal when good hold up play by Joff Vansittart led to a shot from the lively Sam Okafor which went wide of Glass's post. Both defences soon started to get on top but the Whites had the best chance of the half just before half time when the pacey Matt Carruthers easily beat his man and cut the ball back across the box, but not for the first time none of his team mates were alert enough to touch the ball in at the far post. Carruthers, who has been outstanding in the second part of the season, was a threat throughout with his running off the ball and his never say die attitude nearly reaped his rewards in first half injury time, when he charged down Glass' kick, but the ball flashed past the post.

The second period started off niggly with numerous fouls, with Jimmy Strouts lucky not to add to his collection of bookings for an elbow, which though seen by the linesman was only acted upon by a stern lecture from referee Ross. As the defensive trio of Leberl, Shearer, and Munday easily soaked up the pressure from the Kingstonian forwards it seemed as though the quick counter-attacks that the Whites were producing may produce the opening strike. In the 56th minute Vansittart was a whisker away from prodding the ball home after an excellent knockdown by Shearer, and with the best move of the match Okafor was denied when his header was brilliantly saved by Glass after Carruthers' pace had exposed the defence once again. With Dover boss Bill Willams sensing that Kingstonian were there for the taking he threw on Lee McRobert and his twisting runs caused problems and his layoff for Vansittart seemed destined to give the big man his 14th goal of the season before the impressive Simon Stewart blocked the shot.

In the last 15 minutes, the match ebbed from end to end as both sides tried to grab the winner. The Ks chances were not helped by their most dangerous player Holligan being carried off after a tangle with Shearer, which upset skipper Hyde who was shown the yellow card for dissent. It seemed as though Dover would claim all three points when the penalty was awarded much to the dismay of the Kingstonian defence, and the seemingly embarrassed McRobert. But Shearer, who had missed his previous two penalties by dragging the ball wide, hit the target but the shot lacked conviction and Glass easily dealt with it to his right.