Tommy Warrilow’s Ashford United started the New Year with their first defeat since the manager took over as Hastings United closed the gap on leaders Cray Wanderers to eight points.

It was Ashford’s first defeat in eight games and Warrilow’s first in his five games since taking over from Gary Alexander at the end of November. Goals either side of half time sealed the points for the Sussex side and the Nuts and Bolts’ afternoon was complete when late red cards to Bode Anidugbe and Lea Dawson saw the home side finish with nine – Hastings even enjoyed the luxury of a missed penalty late on, but by then the points only had one home – and it wasn’t Homelands!

The pacey front pairing of Daniel Ajakiaye and Jordy Mongoy were a constant threat to Ashford and were in truth the difference between two otherwise well-matched sides although Warrilow will be disappointed that after scoring four at Faversham on Boxing Day, his side drew a blank here.

And for the opening twenty fives minutes the game was very tight and keenly contested. Jack Dixon’s cross was too high for a completely unmarked Mongoy at the far post, whilst Sam Corne shot over for Ashford after some good work down the right.

Dixon opened the scoring just before half hour when Ajakiaye left defenders in his wake before squaring along the six-yard line to an unmarked Dixon who gleefully slammed the ball past Sam Mott and into the home net.

Whatever Warrilow said to his troops at the break was undone by a bizarre second for the visitors just three minutes into the second half. A headed clearance from the centre of the home defence was returned with interest allowing Ajakiaye to nip in between defence and keeper to coolly head the ball over the advancing Mott and into the net. Mott soon after was at his alert best to thwart Ajakiaye as the visitors threatened to run riot.

Ashford’s best outlet during the afternoon was down the left through, Tom Carlse who got into several good positions, only for the final ball not to be good enough or the Hastings defence stood very firm indeed, and from the best of these moves sadly substitute Bode Anidugbe blazed over.

It was to prove to be a bad afternoon for the former Thamesmead man as shortly afterwards, referee Myatt deemed a challenge made by the substitute bad enough to deem a second quick yellow card, and the home side were down to ten. And that was soon down to nine men as Lea Dawson was shown a straight red card for a challenge that some thought should have “just” been a booking.

Mongoy then wasted another chance to make it three nil – Mott again saving with his legs, before the keeper Mott’s afternoon was complete as he brilliantly turned aside substitutes Youssouf Bamba’s penalty after Jamie Fielding had been brought down in the box.

Ashford then miss out on the chance to jump into BOSTIK South East’s top three, but for Warrilow and his number two Alex O’Brien the second half of the season promises so very much.

ASHFORD UNITED – Mott, Aboagye, Carlse (Woodcock), Dawson, Coker, Wisson, Corne, Ajala (Anidugbe), Parish, Adeniji (Fairweather-Johnson), Kamara

Sub – Wealands

HASTINGS UNITED – Horlock, Black, Tucker, Climpson, Howlett-Mundle (Williams), Cruttwell, Lovatt, Ajakiaye, Mongoy (Bamba), Fielding, Dixon (Adams)

Subs – Walker-Barth, Azeez