Chatham moved top of Isthmian South East on Saturday with a Kent derby win at Ashford.

They led at half-time through a rare Ike Orji goal and Emmanuel Oloyede’s header, despite striker George Nikaj netting for the Nuts & Bolts.

And after the restart, the away team sealed their victory at Homelands with Seidou Sanogo and midfielder Jack Evans - from the penalty spot - also on target in the 4-1 success.

There were plenty of early opportunities in front of a crowd of 495.

The first went the visitors’ way on five minutes as skipper Evans crossed for Oloyede who cushioned a header to strike partner Dan Bradshaw, who fired wide on the turn.

A minute later, striker Bradshaw was denied what looked a certain goal by a crucial block by Henry Muggeridge.

The home midfielder then created their first opening in the eighth minute, his shot whistled inches over.

Ashford hitman Danny Parish should have scored for the sixth match in succession, though, with 14 minutes played. A mistake by goalkeeper Ben Bridle-Card gifted him a golden chance, but Bridle-Card tipped his strike wide.

Shortly after the half-hour mark, Oloyede got in behind the Nuts & Bolts backline. His right-wing delivery proved slightly too strong for Bradshaw.

But Chats right-back Orji was the unlikely man to break the deadlock in the 35th minute. He nutmegged his man before he sent a fierce drive beyond home goalkeeper Jacob Russell for his first goal this season.

That advantage lasted only seven minutes, however. On-loan Dover man Nikaj was allowed to turn on the edge of the penalty area and expertly shot past Bridle-Card. It was Nikaj’s 10th of the campaign for Tommy Warrilow's troops and his first of his second loan spell.

But Oloyede’s 13th goal this term right on the stroke of the interval put the Chats 2-1 ahead. He headed in Simon Cooper's cross after the hosts failed to properly clear their lines.

Two minutes into the second period, Nikaj volleyed over a left-wing cross.

That miss appeared even more costly in the 52nd minute when Sanogo nodded in ex-Gillingham midfielder Evans’ delightful free-kick from close range at the back post.

Looking to cut the deficit three minutes later, Ashford improved. A Parish free-kick landed on the roof of the net, before Tariq Ossai stung the palms of Bridle-Card.

The visitors made a double change in response just after the hour mark, which saw Andy Drury and Prince Domafriyie come on for Bradshaw and midfielder Billy Bennett.

Domafriyie could have ended the contest 21 minutes from time, only for his weak effort to be comfortably gathered by Russell.

But Kevin Hake’s Chats put the result beyond doubt in the 76th minute when they went 4-1 ahead.

Referee Nick Dunn was left with no choice but to award a penalty, confidently despatched by Evans, after Ossai was booked for a foul on Domafriyie.

The 88th minute saw the away team presented with another chance but, this time, Evans was wasteful.

With Ramsgate beaten at Three Bridges, Chatham are top of the table and have a game in hand on Steve Lovell’s men, as they target back-to-back promotions.

For the Nuts & Bolts, meanwhile, their indifferent form continues.

There were three changes in the home side's starting line-up.

Forward Gil Carvalho, who has left for promotion rivals Ramsgate, dropped out while experienced defender Liam Friend also missed out altogether with a hamstring problem. Defender Robert Saunders dropped to the bench.

Coming into the Ashford team were ex-Harrow man Michael Dome-Benwin, striker Johan Ter Horst and defender Charlie Dickens.

It was much more straightforward for the in-form Chats, who were unchanged.

This was their third meeting this season - Chatham coming out on top on every occasion, twice in the league and once in the Kent Senior Cup.

Ashford United: Russell, Ossai, Simms, Gorham, Dickens, Dome-Bemwin (Azeez 76mins), Ter Horst, Muggeridge, Parish (Cook 89mins), Lockyer, Nikaj. Subs: Towens, Saunders.

Chatham Town: Bridle-Card, Orji (Beckwith 84mins), Cooper, Robins, Butler, Evans, Bradshaw (Domafriyie 61mins) Oloyede, Sanogo, Bodkin, Bennett (Drury 61mins). Subs not used: Taylor, Peck.

Referee: Nick Dunn.

Attendance: 495.