Ashford United manager Lloyd Hume says he’s bored of talking about good performances - it’s time for results.

The Nuts & Bolts bowed out of the FA Trophy on Saturday, losing 3-2 at Real Bedford in the first round.

All the goals came in the first half, with Jefferson Aibangbee and Louis Collins on target for the visitors.

Ashford dominated the second half, creating three big chances, but couldn’t force penalties.

They now get a run of five Isthmian South East fixtures before travelling to Ramsgate in the League Cup next month, and Hume is focused on climbing the table.

United have struggled for consistency in the league, winning only three of their opening 11 games.

The stop-start nature, due to FA Cup and FA Trophy commitments, hasn’t helped, and nor have injuries.

But with only one more cup competition to play for and players coming back from long-term lay-offs, Ashford need to crack on if they are to realise their top-five ambitions.

They visit Eastbourne Town this Saturday (3pm) before hosting Erith Town at Homelands on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Hume, whose side are 17th, said: “I was very pleased with the performance on Saturday but I sound like a broken record saying that.

“We’ve got to get more consistent and more in tune with how we want to be for 90 minutes, as opposed to just 45.

“Bedford’s chairman came on the pitch at full-time and said ‘you’re the best side we’ve seen here this season’.

“And the Merstham manager said to me after the game last Tuesday (2-1 league defeat), ‘I can’t believe you didn’t get something from that’.

“But I’m bored of saying that and I’m bored of hearing that.

“I said to the boys in the dressing room I’m really pleased with the level of performance, attitude, application and understanding of what we’re trying to do.

“But we need to start winning games and that’s not me being negative, that’s just where it is.

“I’ve been in sides that have gone on long unbeaten runs and played nowhere near how we’re playing currently.

“If we can pick up a few wins on the bounce, it’ll feel like a different place.

“To win games of football, it’s all about moments.

“There are moments in each box and if you defend moments well and attack moments well, you win games.

“Some games that’s happening and others we’re just not getting over the line.

“If we perform for 90 minutes like we did in the second half at Merstham and the second half at Bedford, we’ll be more than confident of getting where we want to get to, but we’ve got to start now.

“We’ve had a long time to bed in, we’re not where we want to be and I’m not hiding from that.

“We haven’t got the points we should have but we’ve got to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and get them because no one’s going to give them to us.

“Eastbourne have had a good run but some inconsistencies with that as well, so we know it’ll be a tough game but we’ve got to go there and make sure we get the three points.”

Barry Fuller played 90 minutes at Bedford on his return from a heel injury.

Ashford also welcomed back midfielder Michael West as a second-half substitute after recovering from a torn calf.

Summer signing Sam Hasler, another key player, is a maximum of two weeks away from appearing.

The trio will make a big difference to Ashford.

“The people I wanted back most were Barry Fuller, Sam Hasler and Michael West,” said Hume.

“The plan was to give Barry 50/60 minutes but, typical Barry, he played 90 and was outstanding.

“Michael West had 20 minutes and Sam Hasler will be playing in two weeks.

“With Michael, his quality on the ball and his game management and understanding, we’ve really missed.

“Hopefully he’ll get 30 minutes this weekend and another 30 minutes, perhaps, on Tuesday.

“He’s potentially two weeks away from starting a game but probably three or four weeks from 90 minutes because he’s been out since pre-season and we’re going into November.”

Meanwhile, Hume understands Rodney Eruotor’s reasons for leaving Ashford.

The winger has joined Merstham in search of regular football after finding opportunities limited at Homelands.

“He wasn’t getting much game time, we’re very strong up top, and he asked me to be honest with him,” said Hume.

“I told him he’d get game time, he’d get opportunities, it was whether he was prepared to wait or not.

“He opted to go elsewhere and I don’t blame him for that.

“Jefferson, Gary (Lockyer) and Louis are doing really well.

“Jefferson and Louis both scored again at the weekend and Gary set both up and was instrumental.

“It’s tough to break in at the moment and Rodney’s seen Danny Parish come back and score two goals against East Grinstead.

“Noah Carney’s done well and scored as well, so Rodney’s probably thinking he’s fifth or sixth in line, which he was.”

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