Ashford United have claimed their own Christmas No.1 after going top of the form table in Bostik South East.

Five wins and a draw either side of the management change at Homelands mean the Nuts & Bolts have bagged 16 of a possible 18 points since early November.

They're just one point outside the play-offs and boss Tommy Warrilow has been thrilled by the response of his players since arriving at the club.

He said: "They were on a little run when we came on but I was aware of the teams we had coming up.

"We had Phoenix, Whyteleafe and Ramsgate away but this is hopefully a long-term thing we’re looking at.

"Around the ground everyone’s got a spring in their step, the boys are buzzing because they’re winning games.

"We’ve played three systems in three games. We’ve done 4-4-2, 3-5-2 and 4-1-3-2. When you lose a game of football, everyone blames the systems but you win the game and no-one says anything.

"The boys have taken three on board that we’ve gone through in training and all of them have been superb. They’ve done their jobs and I think that’s a fair return.

"Whyteleafe turned over Hythe on Saturday, they beat Faversham 6-0 the week before and we got a 0-0 with them.

"The goal at Ramsgate on Saturday was deflected and the goal we let in at Phoenix was an absolute worldie so at least the goals we’re conceding, which is only two, have not been silly errors.

"At the moment, I’m well happy because three games and three systems is quite a lot to put on non-league players but they’re intelligent boys.

"Any player that’s played for me, I do expect a lot from them and I expect them to be clever footballers."

Matt Day has left Ashford to join East Grinstead and Warrilow remains in the market for new signings.

He said: "We’re speaking to two or three at the moment but so is everyone else.

"Some clubs have had a clear-out before Christmas but come January there will be another exodus from different levels that we might be able to tap in to.

"Bearing in mind we’ve only got one game left this year, it’s not going to kill us not to bring in a load of players but if I could bring a couple in to strengthen the squad, I would."

Ashford's next game is away to Faversham on Boxing Day, kick-off 3pm.