Two league defeats in a week have dampened the pre-season optimism at Kingstonian, writes Taimour Lay.

The club’s return to the borough last Saturday, beginning a groundshare at King George’s Field in Tolworth, was marked by a poor 3-2 defeat to Brighlingsea Regent.

And then on Tuesday night, the K’s travelled to newly-promoted Potters Bar Town and lost 3-0 with barely a whimper.

After a summer of significant spending, it has left manager Leigh Dynan under pressure. “Changes will be happening,” Dynan said after watching his side concede six goals.

“I’ve got problems at the back. We knew we’d be missing [centre-back] Leo Chambers for the first games of the season but I’ve got too many experienced players not to deal with simple balls into the box. It’s not been good enough and there will be changes”.

K’s fans were still getting used to their new surroundings just off the A3 when Regent opened the scoring on the opening weekend of the Bostik Premier campaign, Harvey Hodd firing past Rob Tolfrey from the corner of the penalty box.

The home side responded almost immediately. Shaun Lucien threaded the ball through for the returning Louie Theophanous to slot past James Bradbrook.

But Regent were soon back on top when Ks failed to defend a low cross into the box and Hodd was left unmarked to convert from close range. After the break the visitors extended their lead as Billy Hunt beat Tolfrey from the edge of the area.

Mohammadu Faal dispatched a late penalty to make it 3-2 and set up a dramatic close to the game, which was marred by two red cards. In the final seconds, Faal found himself clear but, having evaded the keeper, couldn’t keep his shot down.

If that late flurry of chances offered some hope for the trip to North London on Tuesday, then goals from Keegan Cole, Eoin Casey and George Casey swiftly left K’s reeling again.

A team tipped for promotion now finds itself pointless and searching for answers. K’s face Carshalton Athletic away on Saturday.