The new year started how 2018 ended for Kings Langley with three more points as they continued their rise up the Southern League Premier Division South table to eighth.

While Tuesday’s 1-0 home win over Walton Casuals may have lacked the drama of Saturday’s 4-3 triumph at Harrow Borough as Steve Conroy’s side completed a positive festive period with a third victory in four matches.

Louie Collier continued to dispel any fears Kings may have had about the absence of in-form striker Mitchell Weiss over the last two games by scoring again and this time it carried the added significance of turning out to be the match winner.

With the Stags having had the benefit of a day of rest at the weekend, while Kings were emerging victorious from their seven-goal thriller at Harrow, it was always going to be a testing time for the home team, but they got off to the best possible start with a goal after five minutes.

A high looping cross looked to be a routine collection for Casual’s keeper Denzel Gerrar, but the ball slipped from his grasp, dropped to the ground and Collier reacted smartly to split the keeper and defender Max Hustwick and drive the ball into the net.

The Stags shrugged aside the setback to spray the ball around and look dangerous on the wings, but Kings were showing off their own passing skills and a left-wing run and cross by Charley O’Keefe resulted in a Josh Coldicott-Stevens shot cleared almost off the goal line.

As the interval approached it was noticeable that Walton's possession rate had increased and Alex Tokarczyk had to tip over a Harry Mills free-kick, before reacting superbly to push a full-blooded shot from James Ewington round the post when the striker was clean through.

It was more of the same after the break, with Isaac Sarpong firing over and Kings reacting with Jorell Johnson still chasing his elusive first goal of the season as he came up to head a Roy Syla free-kick over when well placed.

His central defensive partner Callum Adebiyi was also the rock on which the visitors’ attacks were floundering, ably supported by by Gary Connolly and O’Keefe, while Rene Howe gave another fine display in holding the ball and setting up moves.

But it was the man between the posts, Tokarczyk, who deservedly took the accolades as he spread himself to prevent a certain goal as Ewington capitalised on a rare mistake to break through for a one-on-one, and then thwart the prolific striker again with a low save in time added on.

Saturday had seen Kings race into a three-goal lead inside the opening 21 minutes thanks to Coldicott-Stevens and a Stevie Ward brace, including a penalty.

Although Lewis Cole pulled one back midway through the first half, Conroy’s side had re-established their three-goal cushion by the break through Collier.

However, the second half was a very different story as Borough reduced the deficit to 4-3 by the 56th minute through Ryan Moss and Ryan Haugh.

But Kings managed to hold out for the win in a pulsating encounter that left players and fans alike drained.