DORKING'S promotion chase derailed at the weekend after suffering a defeat in a hard fought battle with Kingstonian.

On a sodden and green looking wicket it was a crucial toss to win and Dorking's day started badly as they were asked to bat.

The new ball opening pair bowled with control and in the right areas with Dorking 0-1 at the end of the first over.

Tom Chisman and Murray Yabsley toiled away but found runs hard to come by. Chisman was bowled by Anderson and Andy Homewood soon followed as the top order failed to get going.

As wickets fell Yabsley was compiling a well crafted and handy knock for the visitors as he waited for the short delivery and punished with conviction.

With the league returning back to the 50 over format Dorking were running out of overs to set a competitive target. Yabsley passed 50 and was ably supported by the hard-hitting Tom Chave who smashed a lusty 28.

As Yabsley departed for a classy 71 on a treacherous wicket, Chave and Scott Minihane scampered a few more runs for the total before Dorking were dismissed for 160.

With still a little life in the wicket and the unpredictability of the home side's batting, Dorking felt they had a chance.

However, captain Imran Khalid had other ideas as he was brutal from ball one. His opening partner fell with the score on 20 as Minihane held on to an absolute skyer off the bowling of Duncan Lane.

It was the second wicket partnership that did the damage for Kingstonian as they raced onto 88-1.

However, a quick flurry of wickets as Homewood and Yabsley made breakthroughs got Dorking back in the game.

Further wickets from Homewood and Ian Gregg made the game very interesting but all the time Khalid was there Ks had the uppere hand and he saw his home for victory.

Dorking entertain Wallington on Saturday in a must win clash if they are to keep their slim hopes of promotion alive.