Jordan Ababio’s fearless debut proved just the ticket as Ashford ended their five-match losing run.

Winger Ababio, who’s joined on loan from Folkestone for the rest of the season, scored twice in a 3-2 win over Beckenham.

If confidence has taken a hit in recent weeks, Ababio provided the perfect antidote.

“In a strange sort of way, where he’s a young lad and we put him straight in the team, he played without fear,” said assistant manager Tommy Osborne.

“He’s not been here when we’ve lost a few games on the spin so he didn’t play with that weight on his shoulders.

“You could tell that because he was bright, direct and aggressive in his forward play and he took his goals ever so well.

“I thought he was a threat in the game but what was really pleasing was, off the ball, he tracked back and worked hard.

“We worked on a few bits in training after going to watch Beckenham but, with Jordan, we asked him to go and express himself.

“You don’t want to fill someone’s head with bundles of information as soon as they walk through the door because it might hold them back a bit.

“We wanted him to be nice and confident and not be afraid to make mistakes but he also showed that other side to his game.

“The rest of the lads appreciated what he did for the team to get a result and he fully deserved his two goals.

“We’ve got him on loan until the end of the season and hopefully it works well for both parties in that he gets more game than he would at Folkestone and he does well for Ashford.”

Ian Draycott and Ababio’s first saw Ashford recover from a goal down to lead 2-1.

Bottom side Beckenham levelled but the debutant scored a much-needed winner to break the Nuts & Bolts’ poor run.

“You always want a good performance but the most important thing was to stop the rot and get a win,” said Osborne.

“By hook or by crook, we did that.

“It wasn’t our most convincing performance, and we’ll be the first to admit that, but the boys worked their socks off.

“When you’re on a run like we were and you go 1-0 down, it’s very easy for the confidence to drain from the players.

“But they stuck to their guns and got their just rewards.

“At 1-0 and when Beckenham got it back to 2-2, that’s twice where the boys could have dropped their heads and started pointing fingers but they didn’t. They believed they could win the game.”

Ashford are 10th in Isthmian South East, eight points off the play-offs.

A run of form could soon have them up there challenging but Osborne isn’t looking too far ahead.

They visit Burgess Hill this Saturday (3pm), with the Sussex side above United on goal difference.

“Results are much more important than performances at the moment,” said Osborne.

“Obviously playing well and good performances breed results but we just wanted to stop the rot.

“We now want to put back-to-back wins together, like we’ve done earlier this season.

“We feel we’ve got the squad to do that and start making up ground, and that’s the challenge for the players and us as management.

“If I’m honest, I just want to concentrate on getting points on the board.

“If we do that, it might be that in four or five games’ time, you have a look at the table and think we can have a little go but, for now, it’s really about trying to turn our poor form around.”