Following the eyebrow raising win at Sutton in midweek, Ashford tried to guard against over-confidence but whatever it was, they were unable to get the better of bottom club Waltham Abbey, who were well worth their point in a match that will not be remembered as one of the best ever to have taken place at Short Lane.

Jamie Lawrence, quite naturally, started with the same team that had won at Sutton, the only change being the re-introduction of Paul Johnson to the bench in place of himself.  A nondescript first half livened up slightly in the second period as Johnson came on for his 250^th appearance in Ashford colours as they very gradually started to impress themselves upon the match.  With just over twenty minutes left Brian Haule, scoring in his fifth consecutive game, finally put the Tangerines ahead, following a good stop by the keeper from Warren Harris.

If you were an Ashford supporter, you hoped that the goal would finally end the resistance of the visitors but they were dogged and in all honesty thoroughly deserved their equaliser just five minutes later when Ricci Crace glanced in a left wing cross that gave Paul Burgess no chance.

Full match report from Terry Ryan now on the results page

The Suburban side were unable to add any cheer to the day, losing 1-3 at Tonbridge Angels.