Tommy Warrilow hailed the work ethic of his Ashford side after their midweek victory over Sevenoaks.

George Nikaj, who’s joined on a month’s loan from Dover, scored the only goal just before half-time in Tuesday night’s rearranged Isthmian South East home game.

The Nuts & Bolts defended superbly after the break to hold off an Oaks outfit who are fancied to challenge for promotion.

Victory completed a good few days for Ashford, having beaten Hanworth Villa 2-1 on Saturday to reach the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round for the first time in 24 years.

They’ve been drawn away to Herne Bay, their play-off final conquerors, on September 17, after goals from Adem Ramadan and Lauric Diakiesse saw off Villa.

“I’m not going to lie, that’s the hardest three points we’ll earn,” said Warrilow after his side’s second league win moved them up to seventh place.

“I can’t fault the boys. I’ve not said anything before but, in all, I’ve got 13 players missing from last season’s squad.

“We’re a new side, we will be rusty against good sides and Sevenoaks are a very good side but my boys’ work ethic was unbelievable.

“We showed them stuff on the board, different things that we’ve not had a chance to work on in training, bits and bobs without the ball that you need, especially against a team like Sevenoaks.

“Sometimes, you are going to get caught out but first half we got the goal and could have had a couple more and then second half they got at us and we just defended.

"We rode our luck a bit but that happens in football. It’s a great result against a very good side.

"We know there’s lots to do but the boys put a really good shift in.

“Everyone gave everything and they got the result they deserved, and that will do their confidence the world of good.”

Warrilow feels it’s important to get things into perspective given the turnover of players at Homelands.

With only one defeat in four league games and FA Cup progress, it’s been a good start.

“People must know the situation with the turnover of players but I want to underline it,” said Warrilow, whose side host AFC Sudbury in the FA Trophy First Qualifying Round this Saturday (3pm).

“I know you don’t get patience in football but a little common sense and patience should come into the equation because we haven’t had a bad start considering the turnover of players we’ve had.

“I’ve not had that in years, normally I just touch things up, but 10 left and we’ve got three out injured in Johan ter Horst, Alex Brown and Tariq Ossai, who would be starters.

“I’m not making excuses, I’m just stating facts.

“We’re going to be a bit up and down until we get that stability and, all the time I’m adding to it, we’re not going to get that.

“We didn’t have a good pre-season, and I take responsibility for that, but a lot of players we spoke to either wanted to play higher or didn’t want to come for some reason.

“It’s frustrating because we know we’re a few players short but the boys haven’t let me down in respect of how we’ve done in the time we’ve had together.”

Ter Horst is out for between six and eight weeks after a scan on his hamstring, Brown’s ankle injury rules him out until the New Year while Ossai has had a scan on his groin.

Warrilow remains in the market for players having seen latest addition Nikaj, 19, make a quick impact with his winner against Sevenoaks.

It was just his second appearance for the club after making his debut in the FA Cup.

"They speak highly of him at Dover, I've heard good things about him," said Warrilow.

"His work ethic is second to none, he's a clever player and he'll only get better.

"I've said to him his main objective coming here is to get in Dover's first-team.

"I'll ping a couple of videos over to Hess (Whites boss Andy Hessenthaler) that he can watch and see how he's doing."