Ashford Town are just six points above the Shepherd Neame Kent League Division 1 relegation zone after a four-wicket defeat to The Mote on Saturday.

Put in by The Mote, Ashford reached 38 without loss before collapsing to 80-5 with top scorer Liam Tegg the third man out, leg before for 40.

Peter Shields (25) and Jason Boulter (19) added 41 but then wickets went regularly as Ashford were dismissed for 143.

Darren Cooper struck an early blow with the ball, removing James Marriott for a duck but James Hodgson (72) anchored The Mote’s reply as they reached their target in 42 overs