Tommy Warrilow feels Ashford are operating at just 60% of their potential despite rising to second in Isthmian South East.

The Nuts & Bolts won 3-1 at Littlehampton last Saturday to move four points behind unbeaten leaders Ramsgate.

Given they’re yet to fire, boss Warrilow will certainly take that as he continues to work on strengthening his squad.

“We’ve still not going this year and we’re second in the league - it bodes well,” he said.

“All the time we’re introducing more players there’s going to be parts of our game where we don’t look right at times because they’ve got to buy in to how we play.

“I’m hoping to get two more in and that should be us done for now, although never say never.

“I know it’s early but it’s nice to be where we are in the table knowing we still haven’t got going. We’re probably at 60%.

“I’m happy with how we’re coming along, to be fair.

“As we get the right players in we’ll improve and over time we’ll get that fluency in our game.”

Ashford have extended in-form striker George Nikaj’s loan from Dover into a second month.

He scored his fifth Nuts & Bolts goal with the opener at Littlehampton.

New signing from Sevenoaks, Omarr Lawson, made it two and Gary Lockyer’s penalty completed the win.

The game turned ugly in added time when Littlehampton’s Dion Jarvis and Shay Wiggans were sent off, along with Ashford’s Mamadou Diallo, following a scrap triggered by a disallowed goal for a foul on Nuts & Bolts keeper Jacob Russell.

“When you see all the red and yellow cards it sounds like World War 3 but it wasn’t like that,” said Warrilow.

“Obviously it was a bit hostile but it wasn’t a dirty game.”

Warrilow was delighted to see midfielder Lawson get off the mark and believes he’ll be an important player.

“I was pleased to get him because he had options to go higher,” he said.

“The good thing is he knows a few of our lads.

“He scored a fantastic goal on his debut, he brings experience and energy, he’s box-to-box, and he’s vocal, which we need as we’re such a quiet side.”

Ashford take a break from the league this Saturday when they host Kings Langley for a place in the FA Trophy First Round.

Their opponents are 14th in Southern League Premier Central, the level above Ashford.

Warrilow said: “It would be great to get through to the First Round. We’ve not had a lot of luck in the FA Cup and FA Trophy over the years.

“Kings Langley are a good side, we’ll do our homework on them, we’ll get organised and give it our best shot.

"We could be making life so much easier for ourselves at the moment but we’re an evolving side.”

Ashford lost 6-5 on penalties after a 2-2 draw at home to Chatham in the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday night.

Lockyer, with a penalty, and Nikaj scored in the 90 minutes.