The Shepparton side was tasked with navigating another tough 500km round trip just a week on from a dramatic smash-and-grab win against Nunawading City in round 20.
That triumph meant that the boys in navy blue stood just five wins from securing the premiership and automatic promotion coming into this latest outing at The Grange Reserve in Melbourne’s Clayton South.
However, the boys in navy blue appeared unmoved by the high stakes at play down in the state capital as they secured a crucial 3-2 victory.
After a cagey war of attrition during the opening 38 minutes of the clash, it was Danny Edwards who eventually broke the deadlock to put the visitors in front to silence the home crowd with a piledriver free-kick.
However, hosts Kingston City launched a determined fightback heading into half-time, as Mawien Nielo converted a timely penalty to draw proceedings level as the break approached.
Still, the Suns have demonstrated a steely mentality across this campaign and that characteristic resilience played out on the stroke of half-time as Mangara Munguakonkhwa restored the away side’s lead from 12 yards.
That strike came in the fifth minute of added time in the first period, as the flying winger dispatched his eighth strike of the season from the penalty spot after Laywi Niyonkuru was fouled.
At the interval, Suns head coach Craig Carley made sure to reinforce his side’s defensive resolve as he introduced Christian Ntambwe, while emphasizing the need to remain focused on seeing out the result.
“It was a bit of a sluggish first half to be honest,” he said.
“I don't think we we managed to really stamp authority on the game in terms of having control of the ball and possession and it was probably a bit of a transitional game.
“But it was good to get that opening goal by Danny (Edwards) with an unbelievable free-kick, right into the top corner - he's just on fire at moment.
“We went and then gave a penalty way away which was which was disappointing, but again full credit to the boys we managed to go in at half-time to one up with a penalty of our own after great work from Laywi (Niyonkuru), who was brilliant all night.
“I guess the message at half-time to the boys was was just that it was going to be one of those one of those games where we're gonna have to dig deep.”
After last week’s match-winner Abias Bukuru was brought on before the hour mark, it was Niyonkuru who eventually doubled the Goulburn Valley outfit’s advantage to make it 3-2 in the 65th minute.
From there, the visitors knew that they would have to attack and defend as a unit to see out a hard-fought victory on the road.
Despite Dimitri Rellos converting another penalty kick for Kingston in the 79th minute, the unrelenting Suns eventually dug deep to see out the second half a goal to the good.
Making the trip back up the highway with all three points, the result meant the travelling side remains two points clear at the VPL 2 summit after 20 games played - with Malvern City still breathing down their necks.
Either way, Suns boss Carley remains focused on taking it one game at a time as he aims to inspire his troops to the premiership, with six games left to play and nothing won yet.
“We don't look too far ahead and you know we don't wanna get carried away with where we are we know - we’re obviously top and that's great but we've achieved absolutely nothing so far,” he added.
“Full credit to Kingston, they're obviously fighting for survival and it's going to be a difficult place for any team to go from now to the rest of the season.
“Second half, the boys were much better in terms of structure and obviously got that third goal after a brilliant move.”
Next up, the GV Suns will face off against Springvale White Eagles at John McEwen Reserve from 5pm on Saturday in round 22.
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