Kingstonian warmed up for Saturday's clash with third-placed Byfleet by scoring a 105-run win against Carshalton and Croygas.

But they left it late, with Habib Ullah taking the vital last wicket with just 3.3 overs remaining.

Amir Nazir yet again did the early damage, going past 50 league wickets for the season with a return of 7-48 in the visitors' 135 all out, although Ks' pace ace was once again indebted to another display of excellent close catching.

Earlier Ks had suffered a very rare batting wobble and went from 76-0 to 89-3 before Jamie Parkinson joined Maz Hassan.

That was the signal for a fourth wicket stand of 151 at a run-a-ball only ended when Parkinson capped a run of good scores by getting his first league 50 of the season before being caught in the last over.

Hassan, who had survived a couple of scares, went on to complete his second successive century and was undefeated on 105 when the declaration came.

Carshalton were never in the hunt and it was only a matter of whether the visitors could hang out for a draw.

They didn't, and Ks remain just 11 points behind leaders Pyrford, who still boast a staggering 100 per cent record after 10 games.

July 10, 2002 11:30