After recent struggles in the Ryman Premier League, Kingstonian used Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, to give up losing.

The 4-3 win at aptly named Ash United in the Surrey Senior Cup last night put Alan Dowson’s team into the quarter-finals where they will face Met Police.

Not for the first time this season, dapper striker Ryan Moss was the difference, scoring a neat second-half winner, a rolled finish from an angle.

After three postponements of the fixture due to flooding, Ash United’s pitch was still more sand than grass.

The Combined Counties Premier side, two divisions below Ks in the non-league pyramid, adjusted the quicker and took the lead through the persistent Gary Dopson.

But Ks gradually asserted themselves.

Captain Aaron Goode, usually a marauder from right-back, anchored the midfield with authority.

His defensive work allowed Daniel Sweeney to advance and the former AFC Wimbledon midfielder duly equalised in the 15th minute, converting a cross at the back post.

Daniel Pappoe, the highly-rated defender on loan from Chelsea, then marked his Ks debut with a headed goal to make it 2-1.

An FA Youth Cup winner with the Blues and an U20 Ghana international, Pappoe looked strong at centre-back and may play a key role in the Ryman Premier run-in.

Dee Okojie scored a rare goal in the 35th minute, but Dopson took advantage of a poor backpass to fire Ash back into the game just a minute later.

Given K’s form since Christmas, there was the odd raised eyebrow when Ryan George equalised for the minnows shortly after the break.

But, poised at 3-3, Moss saved the small contingent of Ks fans the ordeal of extra-time and continued the club’s interest in a competition that could end with a high-profile final against Woking.

Ks Lenten resolution will next be tested at Terry Brown's Margate on Saturday.