The Nuts & Bolts began the match in good style as Steventon dragged an effort just wide inside two minutes and then Lockyer saw an ambitious volley from 20-yards go over. It was a sign of good intent.

That intent was matched when Jay May opened the scoring at the 10th minute. Steventon played it to the feet of Lockyer on the edge of the box, which he held up before setting up Kwayie to shoot. His effort was saved but spilled into the path of May to tap in.

May returned the favour for Kwayie not-so-long after, slipping him in at goal to lift over onrushing goalkeeper, Alieu Secka.

With Ashford in cruise control, the Lancers threw a spanner in the works just before the break when Joe Rye popped up at the back post to fire in a half-volley from a corner.

The Nuts & Bolts struggled to get going for the second-half in the same manner in which they did for the first, and then Lancing were handed a boost with the forced withdrawal of Simms due to injury.

In the end, Ashford had to finish the rest of the half with two central defenders at full-back and a midfielder filling in alongside Friend.

Unfortunately, midway through the half, a costly error at the back from Friend gifted The Lancers an equaliser as Ismaila Diallo placed his effort under McCarthy when one-on-one with the keeper.

With the score now level, Warrilow’s men threw everything at it, which was nearly at their own disposal.

Burdon was so nearly the hero on the day after a beautiful moment of individualism saw him go agonisingly close. Twisting and turning inside the box to dispose of his defenders – Burdon had done the hard part – but his effort was inches away from tucking into the far corner from the left.

As Ashford sent men forward, Lancing had two big opportunities to break and counter in numbers, but some heroic recovery defending saw them mess it up on both occasions, and the points would be shared.