Tommy Warrilow has lost his goalkeeper on top of Ashford’s place in the FA Cup after a controversial penalty shoot-out defeat.

Warrilow has learned that Jordan Carey, who’d only just joined the club, has a triple fracture in his elbow, along with a chipped bone.

He suffered the injury during the second half of the Nuts and Bolts’ preliminary round replay against Chatham last night and may need surgery.

The former Chats keeper had earlier been involved in an altercation with visiting fans when it’s said a drink was thrown over him.

There’s no timescale on his return, with the Nuts and Bolts boss trying to sign a replacement in time for the Bank Holiday weekend.

“He’s come running out and slipped and landed awkwardly,” said Warrilow. “Their fans thought he was messing about.

“It’s a real shame because I’d only just got him out of retirement to sign for us and he was beginning to get into it.

“I’m shopping round to try and get someone in for the weekend.

“I hope the injury doesn’t change his mind about playing on.

“We don’t know how long he’s out for but he was enjoying it and I’ve had a good chat with him this morning about things.

“He’s got a kid on the way, so I’ve said enjoy the birth of your child, come down when you want, bring your missus along for a bit of fresh air.

“He’s done the hard bit by getting up off the floor.

“He’s gone to hospital, he knows what it is and they’ve made him more comfortable.”

As for the incident with Chatham fans, Warrilow said: “The bottom line is someone’s chucked a drink over him.

“As far as I’m aware, he hasn’t retaliated.

“Everyone knows in the past he can be a bit lively but we had a really good chat prior to him coming here and he’s a changed boy.”

Veteran Lee Hook, 42, came on for the injured Carey and was at the centre of penalty controversy as Ashford went out after a 1-1 draw.

He’d saved Chatham’s second penalty but there were protests he’d moved off his line early.

And when he saved again at 3-3, the referee this time ordered a retake and Jon Pilbeam buried his second chance.

Chats went on to win the shoot-out 6-5, with Henry Newcombe making the decisive save from Tariq Ossai.

Warrilow said Chatham deserved to win but the manner of defeat left a bad taste.

“I don’t like banging on about officials but I am going to,” he said.

“We had a really poor decision against us in the first game when Daniel Hull was sent off for a second yellow card.

“And last night the officials have melted at the penalties.

“My keeper’s saved one and their fans and keeper have got into the lino about him being off his line.

“As soon as that happened, I said if he saves another one they’ll order a retake, regardless, and that’s exactly what happened.

“The linesman was there in front of all their fans - I just knew.

“I’ve never seen a penalty retaken in non-league for a keeper being off his line, and I don’t think he was off his line.

“We scored our fifth penalty and that should have been us through, even though we deserved nothing on the night.”

Jay May’s header put Ashford in front with Ryan Hayes’ wonder strike, deep into added time, taking the game to extra time and penalties.

Warrilow said: “Chatham were the better side but I’ve been in football a long time and you can play well and lose and play badly and win.

“We could have got away with playing badly, if a massive decision goes our way.

“Hooky saves with his feet and, straight away, bang, retake.

“It leaves a bitter taste but I underline the fact Chatham were much better than us on the night.

“We didn’t deserve to go through but we should have gone through.

“It would have been daylight robbery - no arguments from me on that.

“Over a season you’re going to have three or four stinkers as a team but you try and get something out of those games.

“No one’s going to be outstanding every game, you just pray that when you do have one, it’s perhaps in a less important game, if there is such a thing, like the Kent Senior Cup.

“If we’d lost in normal time I’d have had no complaints but to go out on penalties is hard to swallow.

“We didn’t turn up for one reason or the other but Chatham are a good side and I wish them all the best in the next round.”

Ashford visit Corinthian on Saturday and host East Grinstead on Bank Holiday Monday.

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