Gary Lockyer's penalty - the last kick of the first half - was the difference in a fixture which could have swung either way, as the hosts were denied by the assistants flag for offside.

Kennington travelled without midfielder Sam Brown (holiday) and Sam Conlon (injured), with Tommy Penfold returning at the centre of the Ton defence, while Joe Fisher made his first start of the season on the left of a midfield five.

Holmesdale were quickest out of the blocks with Ryan Golding beating Penfold inside the box and firing a warning shot which crashed against the outside of the post.

Gary Lockyer hit Ton's first meaningful effort wide on the quarter-hour after Charlie Owen caught Holmesdale napping; with the hosts dealt an early blow when central defender Jordan Eels was forced off through injury.

Rob Greenfield's overlapping run and cross down the left-hand channel found Owen, who saw his glancing shot from close range blocked by Nathan Edwards in the Holmesdale goal.

Ton continued to show promise, with captain Greenfield again getting forward and trying his own luck with a shot central to goal from Gary Lockyer's infield ball from the right, which was comfortably saved.

And it was LOCKYER who was to be rewarded for his endeavour right on the stroke of half-time - striking an initial free-kick which resulted in a hand ball inside the box, before coolly dispatching the resulting penalty kick for his fifth goal in six.

Holmesdale showed intent to get back into the game early in the second half, forcing three corners in quick succession, and thought they'd got back on level terms, only for the goal to be ruled offside.

Adam Phillips put in a man-of-the-match performance at centre-half, dominating in the air throughout and producing a superbly timed challenge on Golding when finding himself in a dangerous position down the left.

Harry Gamble had the ball in the net for Holmesdale with fifteen minutes remaining, after a neat build-up, with the assistant again ruling the goal out for offside, much to their frustration.

Substitute Ryan Philpott was introduced for Joe Fisher who suffered a knock, and later forced 'keeper Edwards into a save from his volley from a tight angle.

Harry Stow then made a fine, surging run from right-back, but was denied a shot his efforts deserved.

Ton were indebted to shot-stopper, Tom Barnes for make a great diving stop to deny Holmesdale from a free-kick in the closing moments, but they hung on and saw the game out for a valuable three points.

Speaking after the game, Kennington boss, Dan Scorer said: "It was pleasing that we performed in the manner that we did after last weekend's win in the Vase.

"We're in a run of difficult away games so it's important we come away from places like Holmesdale with points on the board.

"I felt the first half was a really good game of football and we dominated the majority of the play.

"The officials got some stick from the home side, but I thought the referee managed the game really well and assistant did his job ruling out the offside goals.

"Holmesdale are a strong side and certainly caused us problems in the second half in particular.

"I'm sure they'll brush this one off and get back on a winning run, and fully expect them to be challenging for the title this year."

TON: Barnes, Stow, Greenfield, Phillips, Penfold, Clarke, Calvert, Scorer, Lockyer, Owen, Fisher. Subs: Philpott (for Fisher 53'). Unused: Hughes, Goddard, Tomsett, Cook.

Kennington go in search of FA Vase glory once again on September 14, making the long trip to Sidlesham in West Sussex in the second round qualifying, 3pm k.o.

Main Article Photo: Ryan Philpott in possession against Holmesdale on Saturday.