Ashford Town hope a free weekend will give them a chance to help reduce their lengthy injury list.

They don’t play again until next Tuesday when they travel to Walton & Hersham but have several players nursing knocks.

Paul Jones (groin), Kevin Swaisland (back) and Ryan Norman have all been ruled out, while Danny Lye and Ryan Briggs were rushed back early as substitutes in the 2-1 defeat at Horsham YMCA on Tuesday night.

Steve Lovell’s selection plans were hit by the late withdrawal of Toby Ashmore with a virus, while Jon Ralph was also missing due to work commitments.

However they were boosted by Mitchell Sherwood’s 12th-minute penalty which put them in front, only for Nigel Brake to convert a controversial free-kick for the equaliser 10 minutes before the break. The Sussex side’s winner 17 minutes from time also came from the spot converted by Tom Manton.

Assistant manager Hugo Langton said: "The referee told our players it (the free-kick) was indirect but their player curled it straight in

"The game was a tough and tight affair and dominated by the set pieces. We were looking to start the game better, as we have been conceding too many early goals but overall I think we took the first half and they the second."

Langton has been impressed with former Gillingham youngster Ronnie Dolan, 17, who made his debut against Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday.

He said: "The boy was unlucky to be released at Priestfield but has come through our reserves. He had a good schooling with the Gills and plays with no fear."

Ashford have also been boosted by the return of goalkeeper Seb Barton, back from the United States after plans to play and coach there didn’t work out.