Ashford United are plotting another upset in Bostik South this weekend.

They host leaders Lewes on Saturday hoping to follow up their 2-1 victory over high-flying Cray Wanderers last time out.

United’s first game for two weeks sees them up against a Lewes side clear at the top with games in hand.

Ashford boss Jason Whitmore said: “Lewes are top of the table but we gave Cray a run for their money. They were the first top side we’ve beaten.

“We drew with Hythe, who are seventh, but in the top six we haven’t taken points off anyone else.

“Cray was the first one where we actually got some points off a top-six side and at the time, they were in second position.

“Although I believe they’re the best passing side in our league, they didn’t open us up.

“When you look at our results over the last six or seven games, we haven’t shipped loads of goals.

“Other than drawing 3-3 with Hythe and losing 3-1 to Thamesmead – when it was 2-1 in the 93rd minute – we’re not leaking as many goals now.

“As Gary (Alexander, assistant manager) will tell you, noughts and ones win games, not threes and fours. The stronger we are at the back, the more we can stop that from happening, the more chance we have of taking points.”

Next season’s restructure of the non-league pyramid will see three divisions below Bostik Premier, containing 20 teams each, compared to two of 24 currently.

So how does Whitmore think the changes will affect Ashford?

He said: “I don’t think they will. It’s down to us to work our way up that structure.

“We’re probably going to lose the London teams but it doesn’t matter who’s in your league, it’s what you’ve got to do to get out of it.

“Whether that’s with the London teams or without them, you still want to be the best. You still want to get the best players you can and if we can do that, we want to compete and get ourselves up the leagues, in our five-year plan to move this club forward.”

He added: “I’m looking forward to seeing Daniel Ajakaiye and Sid Sollis play again. There are positives and there will be even more if we get a good result at the weekend.

“That will then take us onto the following week at Phoenix, so let’s see if we can cause another upset and stop Lewes, who are in fine form. They’re in the position they are because they do what they do well.

“They are a good team so it’s going to be another tough test but let’s see if we can meet it and give them a game.”