Ashford produced an excellent batting display to defeat Hythe by seven wickets and climb out of the Shepherd Neame Kent League Division 1 relegation zone.

Chasing the Hythe total of 234-7 Ashford got home with three overs to spare, led by opener Matt Lincoln (87) and Shannon Fattore (72), who added 101 for the second wicket.

Lincoln (pictured) and Liam Tegg (26) added 68 for the first wicket, with Stuart Paine’s unbeaten 36, from 25 balls, helping complete the job.

Hythe openers Jon Smith (66) and Leon Morgan (30) added 100 but the visitors declined to 175-6 before Jamie Hemphrey smashed an unbeaten 50 from just 17 balls with two fours and five sixes.

Ashford are now nine points clear of next-to-bottom Sandwich and complete their campaign on Saturday away to Tenterden, who are themselves, not yet safe.