Kingstonian boss Alan Dowson has admitted Saturday’s FA Cup exit has left him little choice, but to go all out for FA Trophy glory.
 

A below-par Ks crashed 3-2 to East Thurrock United at Kingsmeadow on Saturday, as the club missed out on a potential £4,500 windfall for reaching the third qualifying round.
 

Dowson’s men were 2-0 down at the break and while Dean Lodge’s solo strike had given them a lifeline the Rocks extended their advantage before Matt Pattison gave the scoreline some respectability.
 

Skipper Tom Hutchinson was sent off for a professional foul to compound the misery as again Ks’ cup hopes were snuffed out early on.
 

Dowson is confident he will not have to off-load players to balance the books, but admitted the FA Cup exit meant he couldn’t afford
to fail when his men entertain Eastbourne Town on Sunday.
 

“In the build up to the game I tried to play down the significance of the cup, but that only left me even more devastated,” he said.
 

“I thought by keeping it low profile it would take the pressure off us a bit this year and it didn’t work. I knew how important the game was to the club and the supporters.
 

“We were beaten by the better side. We didn’t turn up in the first half. The scoreline says it was close but it was a 3-2 hammering really. We were never in it.
 

“We’ve got no choice, but to go and win the game this weekend now. They will be organised and it will be tough.”
 

Former striker Bobby Traynor signalled an intention to return from his break from the game, but Dowson refused to talk about any imminent comeback.
 

“It is not something I’m thinking about,” he added.
 

“We’ve got good players here and I can only afford to think about the players I’ve got rather than the ones I haven’t.”