Epsom and Ewell 1

Ashford town 2

Ashford Town inflicted Epsom and Ewell's first home defeat for more than a year on Saturday.

The result kept up Ashford's unbeaten record in their first season of Ryman League football and ended Epsom's 20 game unbeaten run at Merland Rise.

Epsom put Ashford under early pressure with keeper Paul Burgess twice using his fists to clear, firstly from an back-header from defender Steve Scott, and from Steve Latuske's corner.

Ashford nearly scored when Scott, who been allowed a clear run, dipped a shot just over Dave Hyatt's crossbar.

Hyatt had to push away a low shot from Todd and it needed a well-timed tackle by James Hall, who was being watched by Reading, to rob Eggington as he collected a Miles pass.

A mix-up between Bamford and Burgess nearly let in Richard Sell, but his shot was over the bar.

Epsom took the lead after 31 minutes. Steve Latuske's low cross evaded both Dale Marvell and Lee Dooley, but Tim Smith, following up, found the back of the net, via a defender.

Ashford equalised two minutes from half-time, Eggington laying the ball back for Des Vertannes to score.

Epsom nearly regained the lead when Andy Nimmo's shot from Nigel Bennett's long throw was blocked, Dale Marvell hooking the rebound over. In injury time at the end of the first half, Mark Freehorough was cautioned for a foul on Frost.

Lee Dooley and Scott Todd were the first in referee Alison Chapman's book, after a minor dispute two minutes after the break. James Hall saw his glancing header from Nimmo's free-kick saved by Burgess, before Andy Nimmo picked up a yellow card.

Ashford took the lead after 59 minutes. A free-kick just outside the Epsom penalty area was knocked straight to Frost whose deflected shot ran to Scott Todd to score.

Barry Stevens came on for Tim Smith and was quickly in the action, James Hall saw his header from Nimmo's corner, bounce off the Ashford bar and Epsom had strong penalty appeals waved aside when Miles appeared to handle a shot from Graham Chappell.

Strange refereeing decisions began to frustrate players from both sides.

A scrappy finish to the game saw Steve Latuske booked for a foul, Freeborough picked up his second yellow, and his marching orders for a foul on Frost, and Ashford's Darren Smith picked up a caution for dissent.