Kingstonian overcame two red cards to dent their old Ryman enemy's promotion hopes on Saturday, writes Phil Windeatt.

Ks gave a thrilling display of attacking football in the first 20 minutes, with striker Tim Sills scoring twice.

Danny Bolt pulled one back for Sutton but the game was overshadowed by referee Chris Salt who produced red cards for Sills and Ks skipper Pete Barnsby late in the game.

Ks dominated the early stages and took the lead after nine minutes. From Max Hustwick's long free-kick, Sills got behind the defence and headed past James Ribolla.

Ribolla got down quickly to save from Ronnie Green before Ks made it 2-0 in the 19th minute. James Pinnock's corner fell to Sills in space and the free-scoring striker confidenlty sidefooted home.

Sutton pulled one back in the 27th minute. Nick Bailey took a short free kick and Bolt fired a drive past Ks' defensive wall and through the hands of an unsighted Lance Key.

Key then did very well to bravely smother at the feet of Mark Watson, who had broken through the Ks' defence.

A taste of what was to come came when Barnsby and Watson clashed in the 34th minute, leading to a mass brawl.

After this release of testosterone, both men were booked.

The second half started slowly but Sills went close to a hat trick in the 66th minute, Ribolla holding his shot.

Bolt was involved in all of Sutton's attacks and, with 15 minutes to go, Matt Flitter had to head his cross off the line.

With 13 minutes left, Sills went up for a harmless looking high ball way out on the left.

Referee Salt must have spotted an elbow, because he issued a second yellow card which left Sills seething.

With five minutes left, Barnsby also received a second yellow after flying into keeper Ribolla.

Ks sub Liam Collins showed a cheeky bit of skill before forcing a save out of Ribolla.

With Ks' biggest crowd of the season on their feet, the nine men were left hanging on for eight minutes of injury time.

At the final whistle, Mr Salt needed an escort from the pitch, but Ks had recorded a remarkable victory over their fiercest rivals.

January 29, 2003 10:00