Tommy Warrilow sees no reason why Ashford can’t take the bull by the horns in the Isthmian South East promotion race.

The Nuts & Bolts are out of the play-offs on goal difference after drawing 1-1 at home to Chichester on Saturday.

But it’s tight at the top, with six points separating leaders Ramsgate and sixth-placed Ashford.

There’s all to play for in a competitive division and boss Warrilow believes his side have every chance.

They led Chichester through Rob Hutchings’ first-half own goal but Connor Cody levelled after the break.

“If you’d said we’d be six points off the top at this stage, after all the changes we’ve made, I’d have snapped your hand off,” said Warrilow, who today brought prolific striker Danny Parish back to Homelands from Canvey Island.

“No one’s really taken the bull by the horns yet and I emphasise the word yet because I think someone will and there’s no reason why that can’t be us.

“We’re beginning to get that stability we need and I’m happy with the squad."

Johan ter Horst is still to start since a hamstring injury, with Gil Carvalho playing up top with Gary Lockyer following Nikaj’s departure.

Ashford have been treading carefully with the forward and Warrilow desperately hopes their caution will pay off for both player and club.

“I really hope Jo will be okay because he’s been so devoted to building it up and getting it right,” said Warrilow.

“He’s done absolutely everything he’s been asked and he’s such a great lad.

“We’ve not started him yet because we don’t want to kill him with 90 minutes or 70 minutes.

“We’ve introduced him with 20s and 30s and we’re getting to the stage where it’s now or never. We’ll have to see."

Ashford meet VCD at Homelands this Saturday (3pm), with Warrilow calling on his side to make more of set-pieces.

It’s a subject that came up during a supporters’ meeting at the ground on Monday night.

“We need to do better from set-pieces,” said Warrilow.

“We’re not attacking them with belief we can score, be it corners, free-kicks or long throws.

“We’ve got a few set-piece routines that we do and we need to hit the reset button and do more with them. It’s a massive part of the game.”

Ashford said farewell to long-serving midfielder Josh Wisson on Sunday.

He’s joined league rivals Sheppey after 143 appearances and 24 goals in five seasons at Homelands.

Wisson won the manager’s player-of-the-year award last season but has fallen down the pecking order.

“We’ve gone a different way in midfield and Wisso hasn’t had a lot of game time,” said Warrilow.

“He phoned me on Sunday and we had a good chat.

“Wisso needs to play - I totally understand where he’s coming from. He’s a great lad and I hope he does well at Sheppey.

“I’m not a manager who likes to have players sitting around on the sidelines.

“You’re not going to keep them happy. I don’t expect people to hang around.”

* Ashford United Ladies maintained their 100% record in London & South East Division 1 South with a 2-1 win over Welling United.

Meadow Barton headed home the Nuts & Bolts’ winner, late in the first half, after prolific striker Becky Wyatt’s opener was cancelled out.

Victory in Sunday’s game at Homelands made it eight wins out of eight for Steve Howard’s second-placed side.

They’re three points behind leaders Hastings with a game in hand and visit Bromley this Sunday (3.30pm).