Kingstonian are a “sleeping giant” ready to recapture past glories, according to new manager Dean Brennan, writes Taimour Lay.

A gutsy 1-1 draw with Carshalton Athletic on Saturday ended a run of six straight defeats but the former Hemel Hempstead and Billericay boss is also looking to the long-term.

“Everyone I spoke to, people like Alan Dowson, football friends of mine, all said this is a sleeping giant, which we feel it is," he said. "We know it’s a big football club, everyone knows it, everyone knows they won the Trophy, and we’ve got to relight the place and get it back on the map.

“The four Directors who are running it spoke really well and I think they’re trying their hardest to get things right off the pitch and give the football club real stability which is really important. They’re working tirelessly and so will we.”

READ MORE ON K'S: Brennan adds defensive trio to squad

Brennan has arrived alongside his erstwhile assistant, Stuart Maynard.

The two had a highly successful spell at Hemel before being recruited by Glenn Tamplin’s Billericay in September 2018. After a good start in Essex in the Vanarama South, financial instability and the release of five key players led to a slump and sacking in January.

With K’s injury-ridden and eight points of the play-offs, Brennan’s first aim was to inject some positivity. The fans duly obliged with Irish flags and a bottle of whiskey. “The reception Stuart and I got was outstanding from everyone", said the Dubliner. "I told the players ‘work hard for the team and for your families and for the supporters out there who come, week in, week out’ and it’s really that simple."

And he has promised changes in the coming weeks. "We will bring players in. The squad’s tight. Ideally we want 19, while there’s still something to play for, we have to give it everything. We’ve set ourselves a points target for the 12 remaining games and if we achieve that, we’ll be where we want to be at the end of the season.”

In truth, K’s were fortunate to take a point against an impressive Robins outfit who took Barnet to a replay in the 5th round of the Trophy this month. Rhys Murrell-Williamson, returning on loan from Woking, gave the home side an early lead with a mishit cross that sailed over the keeper.

But Carshalton dominated thereafter, equalised through Harry Ottaway before half-time and missed a penalty in the closing stages – Rob Tolfrey diving to his left to beat out a tame effort.

K’s head to Brightlingsea Regent this Saturday before a home match with Wingate & Finchley on 2 March.