ASHFORD TOWN’S hopes of FA Cup glory came to a premature end once again as they were put to the sword by a clinical Kingstonian side.

Town stormed out the blocks but despite a 20-minute spell of incessant pressure, Steve Lovell’s side couldn’t find a way to beat K’s captain Luke Garrard, who was in imperious form between the sticks.

And Kingstonian – unbeaten this season - made the Nuts and Bolts pay as they went a goal up on 28 minutes, before punishing Ashford in a deadly three-minute spell after the break to put their name into the hat for the next round.

Ashford boss Lovell meanwhile was left pondering what could have been. A team so consistently inconsistent – Town handed out a five-goal drubbing of Leatherhead just five days earlier – Ashford could become a real force if they start to string back to back performances together and abort the on-off form that threatens to scupper their season.

Deadly Kingstonian soon breached Willis’ defences just two minutes later though. The lively Carl Wilson-Denis found space to cross from the outside-right channel into the path of Tommy Williams, who made no mistake in heading home from close range to give his side the lead.

In just their second clear-cut opening, they grabbed a second goal courtesy of Carl Wilson-Denis,

Tricky winger Dean Lodge broke with pace down the left and slid in a ball for the big number ten to turn in, leaving the stranded Willis at the near post with no chance.

And just three minutes later, the lead was stretched to three when slack marking allowed Max Hustwick in to head home Tommy Williams’ near post corner.