Ashford striker Preston Kedwell will never forget his first goal in men’s football - for more than one reason.

Not only was it a special moment for the 16-year-old, but it also came with a difference as the ball had popped moments before he struck it and had to be replaced.

Kedwell’s sixth-minute goal set the Nuts & Bolts on their way to a 3-1 victory at Deal on Tuesday night.

It was their fourth successive league win and lifts them up to 10th in Isthmian South East.

Boss Danny Kedwell was delighted to see his son get off the mark in senior football after handing him a start.

“That was his first competitive goal in men’s football and he’s deserved it,” said the manager.

“The funny thing is the ball popped just before that.

“I think it happened in a tackle or something.

“One of our players slid him in and Preston said afterwards he knew the ball had popped, so he just had to smash it and it went through the keeper’s legs.

“I knew it was onside so I thought why are they all moaning, and then I found out the ball had popped.

“It’s a great feeling to see your boy score.

“To be fair, I celebrated all the goals the same but when it’s your boy and it’s his first goal in men’s competitive football, it is special.

“He was causing them absolute havoc before that.

“They couldn’t handle him.

“Doing that 16, at that sort of level, is very good.”

Gary Lockyer added to his double in Saturday’s 3-1 win at Beckenham by putting Ashford 2-0 up on nine minutes.

Deal replied with a Macca Murray penalty but captain Craig Stone clinched the points in the 83rd minute with an effort that even surprised his manager.

“It was an unbelievable strike - sidefoot, top bins,” said Kedwell. I was thinking, ‘Who’s that?’

“I didn’t see who scored because there were so many bodies and then when I saw Stoney run off celebrating I was like, ‘Good God’. It was a striker’s finish, not a centre-half’s. He won’t stop talking about it.”

The win at Beckenham, with James Dunne adding to Lockyer’s double from the penalty spot, was the first time Ashford have beaten a top side this season.

They backed it up at Deal and confidence is high with the Nuts & Bolts on a winning run.

They visit fellow form side Merstham this Saturday (3pm) and host AFC Croydon at Homelands on Tuesday (7.45pm).

“The determination these boys have got now, they won’t give in,” said Kedwell.

“I’ve said from the start it takes to build a team and to learn how each other plays and what they’re like mentally. I think that’s coming together now.

“Let’s not get it wrong, Barry Fuller coming in on loan has made a massive difference and it’s helped the balance of the team having a right-footed right-back and left-footed left-back.

“When we had players missing, we had people playing out of position and the balance wasn’t there.

“With Barry, it’s his organisation and his talking.

“He’s a big help not just on the pitch but off it as well.

“He knows the game, he’s been there and done and he’s a leader.

“We’ve got a few leaders now and that makes a big difference.”

Joey Taylor and Noah Carney are available this weekend after recovering from injury.