Gary Clarke says Ashford United have to recover quickly after their midweek FA Vase humbling.

The 5-0 home fourth round defeat against Eastern Counties League leaders Norwich United stunned the skipper and his team-mates leaving them struggling for reasons how it happened.

Clarke said: “We were all disappointed with the manner of the defeat and the fact we didn’t show up on the night.

“I haven’t been on the end of too many defeats like that in my different spells with Ashford and this one will live in the memory for all the wrong reasons.

“It has got to spur on us (in the league, starting at Holmesdale on Saturday). We have to bounce back from adversity and get our season back on track.”

United went out at the same stage, at home against Hanwell last season, with a backlog of fixtures leaving them facing four games a week.

Clarke said: “We are in a better position now, having played a few more league games. We are a few points off top spot but that might work in our favour because people aren’t looking at us too closely.”

Meanwhile United have confirmed 23-goal striker Stuart Zanone has signed a contract with the club, the second player to do so following goalkeeper Joe Mant, who signed at the start of the season.

Full Story in this week's Kentish Express