Steve Watt has thanked Ashford and Lydd for their assistance in allowing him to bring Jarred Trespaderne back to Hythe.

Midfielder Trespaderne turned out for the Cannons in their 2-0 Isthmian South East defeat at Cray Valley on Saturday, as part of a dual-registration agreement with Lydd.

But to make the deal happen, it needed help from Ashford, who still held his Isthmian League registration.

Nuts & Bolts boss Tommy Warrilow was happy to oblige.

“We thank both clubs for their help,” said Hythe manager Watt.

“With all these games we’ve got coming up, it’s good to be able to call on him if Lydd don’t have a game and are happy to let him play.

“I spoke to Tom at Ashford and, as always, he was helpful and de-registered him, so we could sign him.

“I’m a lot younger than Tom but we’re cut from the same cloth. If there’s anything I can do help people, I will.

“I did it earlier in the season when Phoenix were struggling for a keeper and Steve Phillips went back and played a midweek game for them as he was still registered there.

“I’ll always try and help where I can and I’m grateful to Tom and Ashford and Lydd.”

Hythe should have been out of sight in the first half at title-chasing Cray Valley but didn’t take their chances and paid the price as the Millers struck twice after the break.

It was another frustrating afternoon for the Cannons, who host Whitehawk this Saturday (3pm) and go to Three Bridges on Tuesday (7.45pm).

“It’s the most frustrating season I’ve ever known,” said Watt. “We’re more than matching teams but coming away from games with nothing to show for it.

“We should have been at least 3-0 up at half-time. They were unbeaten in 11 and Chris Lewington, their goalkeeper, was man-of-the-match, which tells you everything.

“They weren’t half-chances, they were better chances than any Cray Valley had.

“For me, it was our most disappointing result of the season because of the chances we’ve missed.

“They’ve had four chances and scored twice and we’ve had 10 and scored none.

"Of those 10, we should have scored six. We’re talking chances from three yards out, open goals, half-open goals, but we haven’t scored so we deserved to lose the game.”

Hythe's game at East Grinstead on Tuesday night was postponed due to a frozen pitch.