Tommy Warrilow described Gary Lockyer as a local legend after his first Ashford hat-trick got the Nuts & Bolts back on track.

United, reeling from their shock 5-1 defeat at Three Bridges, produced the perfect response by beating Sevenoaks 4-0 at Homelands on Saturday.

Lockyer’s treble and a Johan ter Horst goal saw off struggling Oaks, who parted company with manager Micky Collins the following day.

Jay May was available after a hamstring injury but Warrilow kept faith with Lockyer and the former Kennington striker didn’t disappoint as Ashford put back-to-back losses to bed.

“I’m pleased for Gal,” said boss Warrilow. “He’s come in and settled really well, he’s improved his game and he’s still growing as a player.

“He’s a really nice bloke, there’s nothing complicated about him and I’ve got a good, honest relationship with him.

"He’s a legend in this area with his Kennington and Ashford connections and everyone’s pleased to see a local boy do well.

“He’s got a good family around him, he’s a humble bloke and if you work hard, you get your just rewards.

"It was a massive team selection on Saturday after what happened at Three Bridges.

“Jay was fit, and what a career he’s had, but we showed confidence in Gal and I said to him, ‘Look who’s on the bench’ and obviously that registered with Gal because he got himself a hat-trick.”

Warrilow also praised Ter Horst for his role in a win that moved Ashford back up to fourth place in Isthmian South East going into Saturday’s game at bottom side Whitstable.

“I’ve got to give Johan a shout,” said Warrilow.

“Gal got his hat-trick but I’m sure he won’t mind me saying that Johan was my man-of-the-match on Saturday.

“He got his goal, he worked his socks off and his attitude was unbelievable.

“He’s been out of the side and he could have sulked, he could have left, because a club did come in for him, but he loves it here and he was outstanding against Sevenoaks.”

To win 4-0, a week after a 5-1 thrashing, is no mean feat.

Any sort of win would have done but Ashford, whose midweek game at East Grinstead was rained off, were on their game.

“I’m not being disrespectful to Sevenoaks but we could have had more,” said Warrilow.

“I was a little disappointed we didn’t get a couple more but we needed some positivity around the place after two losses and we got that.

“We played some really good football and created lots of chances, so it was a great reaction to the last couple of weeks.

"Whether the boys felt under pressure because of the two losses, I don’t know.

"I don’t want this to sound brash or arrogant or big-headed but I can’t remember the last time we lost two on the spin since I’ve been here, or if we even have, and we’ve not been smashed 5-1 like that before, but these things happen in football.

“They’re sent to test you and the lads rolled up their sleeves and came back.

"We’ve got a massive game now against Whitstable.

"Everyone will be looking at it thinking it’s a given we’ll win because they’re bottom of the league but I certainly don’t think like that and I’ll be drumming that into the players.

"All teams go through a bad patch but Whitstable will come out of theirs and it will be someone else’s turn.”