Horsham secured three vital points with a 1-0 win at Ashford, but they had to hang on after an uninspiring second-half performance.

Gavin Geddes could have put Hornets ahead after just 50 seconds when he was put through by Gary Charman but Tony Wells saved his low shot.

Charman, returning after an injury lay off, lobbed inches wide of the post in the 34th minute as the visitors took control. Hornets lost Steve Payne with a back injury before substitute David Flemming set up Geddes, only for their top scorer to drag his shot wide in the 44th minute.

Deep into first-half stoppage time, Horsham took a deserved lead. Lee Carney found Matt Ottley just inside the area and the defender sent a superb diving header into the net via the right hand post.

The second half was a different story as Hornets continually gave the ball away. Ian Chatfield had to be alert to block Steve Willmore's 76th-minute effort before making the save of the match when he dived low to his left to keep out Willmore's powerful header with ten minutes left.