Manager Tommy Warrilow has called on Ashford to make the most of playing a day earlier than their play-off rivals.

The Nuts & Bolts will move into the Isthmian South East top five if they win at struggling VCD tomorrow (Good Friday, 2pm) and put pressure on the sides around them.

It was VCD’s suggestion to move the game forward and Ashford were only too happy to oblige, with the rest of the division in action as normal on Saturday.

Not only does it offer Warrilow’s men a chance to strike first, it also gives them an extra day’s rest before facing fellow promotion hopefuls Sheppey at Homelands on Easter Monday (3pm).

Ashford remain two points off the play-offs after Gary Lockyer’s 80th-minute strike in a 1-0 home win over Lancing last Saturday.

“Playing on Friday gives us a chance to put pressure on the other teams,” said Warrilow.

“It won’t be easy - VCD are fighting for their lives - but we’ve got to try and win that game.

“I’m surprised more clubs didn’t bring games forward.

“We had an email from VCD which I ran past the players and the club to make sure everyone was happy. Everyone was consulted first.

“The games are running out now but we’re not thinking past VCD at the moment. Let’s concentrate on Friday first.

“For me, it’s VCD, bang, let’s get there, and if we come off the pitch and everyone’s given their all and done everything they’ve been asked, hopefully we’ll be fine.

“We just need to keep doing what we’re doing.

“We’ve lost one in 11 and it’s not by luck that you win games. You make your own luck in life.

“We’ve got a bit of consistency into our game now and it’s no coincidence the results have followed.

“I said to the boys before we played Lancing we’ve done unbelievable to get where we are and we don’t want to throw away a season’s work in five games.

“They ticked that one off and now the next one is Friday.

“It was an awful feeling waking up after dropping two points against East Grinstead in the 94th minute last week.

“We want to wake up feeling good after VCD and have a nice Bank Holiday weekend.

“Three points are up for grabs but it will be a tough battle.

“VCD were the first team to beat us at home this season - it’s only them and Chatham who’ve won at our place - so the table means nothing to me.

“They are where they are but they’ve got good players, they’ll be organised and they’re a good side.

“It will be a massive three points if we can get them, with only three games left.”

Lockyer scored for a sixth successive game as Ashford beat Lancing.

Time was running out when he finished on-loan Bromley youngster Sam German’s ball forward.

The goals are flowing for Lockyer, who recently became a dad again.

“It was a massively important goal for us on Saturday,” said Warrilow. “That could be the difference between making the play-offs or not.

“He’s had a hectic month but even prior to this run of goals he was still playing well.

“I’m not going to lie, you could feel the tension around the ground.

“We knew we had to win and it was like, ‘Is it going to come?, Is it going to come?’

“We got the goal and then you could feel the relief.

“It should have been more than 1-0 but the main thing was to get the points. That’s all that matters.

“From our point of view, we changed things at the end to make sure we weren’t so open after what happened against East Grinstead.

“We didn’t want to concede late again and drop another two points. It was a massive win for us.”