Ashford have only pride to play for after a nightmare Easter weekend.

The Nuts & Bolts are effectively out of the running for an Isthmian South East play-off place following back-to-back defeats.

They’re five points off the top five with only two games to play after losing 2-1 at VCD on Good Friday - Johan ter Horst with a late consolation - and 1-0 at home to Sheppey on Monday.

Last year’s beaten play-off finalists were aiming to go one better this season but are set to fall short after a campaign that’s seen manager Tommy Warrilow facing a constant battle to get a settled side as players came and went.

That’s what will ultimately cost the Nuts & Bolts, according to Warrilow, whose side are eighth.

“It was the worst weekend you could imagine - horrible,” he said.

“We said Easter would shake things up and unfortunately it’s us who’s fallen out of contention.

“It would take a miracle to make the play-offs from here but it’s not just about this weekend.

“You reflect back over the course of the season - you can’t just look at two performances.

“There’ll be pelters coming over the hill - that’s to be expected - but I can look in the mirror and say I’ve given everything I’ve got to get players in.

“It’s well documented the massive turnover in players we’ve had.

“I think we lost 13 in the summer and then you’re fighting to get a side together.

“We had to try players out - some worked, some didn’t - and then we had a patch of nine consecutive weeks when seven-day approaches came in.

“Everyone knows if you get a set of lads together and work with them with no disruptions they will only get better and better.

“When you introduce someone to something new it takes time to gel.

“We’ve managed to find a bit of consistency in the last couple of months but we’ve come unstuck at an important time and it’s cost us.

“We are where we are because of the bigger picture but it’s obviously really disappointing.

“In the time I’ve been here we’ve had two play-off finals and were second when Covid stopped the season.

“We really wanted to get out of the league this season but it wasn’t to be.

“We’ve still got pride to play for and I want to finish as high as possible.

“It’s a horrible position to be in but we have to be as professional as we can in these last two games and try and win them.”

Ashford visit Chichester on Saturday and complete the season at home to second-placed Ramsgate the following weekend.

Warrilow is set to sit down with owner Don Crosbie to discuss where Ashford go from here.

The manager simply wants what is best for the club.

He said: “I know people will be asking about my future. The honest answer is I don’t know until I’ve sat down and spoken to Don.

“Have I got things wrong this season? Of course I have. Have I tried to rectify them? Absolutely.

“I’m not egotistical enough to think everyone’s going to love me. It’s never like that in football but I’m an honest bloke and I’ll be having a chat with Don to see what he thinks.

“I’ve been in football a long time and even when you’re successful you’re going to have people who don’t take to you. I’ve no issue with that.

“But this isn’t about me, it’s about the football club.

“The club doesn’t want to be in the same position it was last summer where it’s having to start afresh because everyone’s leaving.

“The difference this year is we know what league we’re going to be in before the season finishes.

“With that in mind, do the club want to start speaking to the players to try and get some sort of commitment for next season?

“That’s something the club need to consider whether I’m here or not.”