Two defeats in their last three games have knocked Tommy Warrilow’s Ashford United off the top of Bet Victor League South East division, and left the Nuts and Bolts facing a big derby at Homelands this weekend against Herne Bay, who themselves are chasing an unlikely Play Off place.

Speaking to KSN this week, Warrilow admitted that last weekend’s three one defeat at VCD Athletic was tough to take.

He told us, “We’re a little bit disappointed as we went top before losing two of the last three to Chichester and VCD – we were good against Chichester at half time and should have been out of sight by half time but we didn’t!”

“We then went there on Tuesday night and got a fantastic result but then went to VCD on Saturday and we were poor!”

“So you’ve got to take the criticism along with the praises and Saturday was one of those days where you’ve got to take the critism, but it’s so tight at the top with everyone being on good runs – we’ve only lost three out of our last fourteen or fifteen League games!”

“So we’re not exactly on a poor run of form but that one defeat on Saturday knocked us off the top and with the teams around winning, it’s tightened up at the top again!”

“It’s all about what we do with eight games to go and if we keep that sort of form up throughout the season, of course you’re going to be there or there abouts anyway!”

“We’re in a positive position but when you lose a game it puts an aurora around the place that really isn’t very nice.”

“Now we’ve only got Saturday, Saturday, Saturday so you’ve for a whole week to wait so that we can rectify it!”

“We either win or lose games – I think we’ve only drawn two games all season – and that’s why we’re up there. I think Hastings have drawn quite a lot – I know it’s not a nice stat but sometimes you’re better off.”

“It’s alright saying that you haven’t lost in fourteen or fifteen but if you’ve drawn ten of them, it does hurt you. We don’t as we either win or lose and that’s why we’re up there but that’s the way we are.”

“I’d like to think that we’re an attacking side; we try to entertain and play it the right way but at the same time I know that it’s a results business.”

“We’re currently sitting second in the League – we made the Play Offs last year and after a big turn around again this year, we’re still sittimg nicely in the Play Off position.”

“It’s important that we stay positive and focused as come the end of the season, the minimum we are will be in the Play Offs. With eight games to go, a lot of the top teams have to play each other, so there’s no need to panic – as the old saying goes, it’s a massive three points Saturday against Herne Bay.”

“We’ll see what happens when we come off the pitch, we’ve just to get on with it and concentrate of what’s in front of us and not lose perspective of what our aim is which is to get out of this League.”

“Our last eight games, every game is a big game and I’m not building one individual game up. We’ve got to concentrate and not put too much pressure on ourselves but at the same time we know what’s at stake in every game we play now!”