A close match in which fortunes ebbed and flowed, eventually saw Ashford take all three points thanks to a late winner from skipper Paul Johnson who was allowed to meander around the edge of the penalty area before unleashing a drive that eluded home keeper Dave King.

Fielding an unchanged team from last week’s win over Billericay, it seemed early on that Ashford would enjoy a slightly less laboured victory as they notched an early goal, thanks to goal machine Brian Haule, who has now scored in five out of the last six games, and then doubled it courtesy of a free kick by Johnson.  On the stroke of half time though, Tooting pulled one back from a free kick of their own and when they equalised early in the second half and continued to pile on the pressure for some time, the most likely option seemed to be that the three points would stay at home.

Ashford are made of strong stuff these days though and determinedly fought their way back into the game, with Jermaine McGlashan, despite some rough treatment not particularly well dealt with by referee Hillier, a constant threat. as was Warren Harris on the other flank.  At the other end keeper Paul Burgess belied his 40 years of age with some superb stops and it seemed, with less than five minutes left that the game was destined to finish all square.  Then though came the skipper’s strike and it was another three points in the bag.

Ashford will now head to Horsham on Tuesday night for what is bound to be another very tough match but Jamie Lawrence’s boys will be boosted by an undefeated run in the League that has now extended for twelve games, the last defeat being at Bognor Regis on 3 November, in the immediate aftermath of Mark Butler’s departure.

Full report to come from Terry Ryan.

The Reserves in the meantime found the boot on the other foot as they conceded a last minute equaliser to visitors Beaconsfield SYCOB, the match ending two apiece.  Further details to follow.