Ryman Division One South

Chipstead 1

Ashford Town (Kent) 0

Scott Simpson took his season's tally to double figures with manager Mark Tompkins' praise ringing in his ears.

The striker bagged the only goal of the game as lowly-placed Chipstead continued their good form to send Ashford bottom and give themselves an eight-point gap to the drop zone.

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Tompkins said of Simpson: "He's done really well. He's club captain now and has been leading by example."

Simpson's strike took his tally to 10 in all competitions and Tompkins is delighted with how his partnership with hot shot Sean Rivers, who has 19 goals this season, is progressing, but it was from a cross from Ray Freeman on the wing that the striker scored on 37 minute.

A fourth win in five games, however, could not have been achieved without the contribution of defenders Nathan Green and man of the match James Russell.

Tompkins has signed Green on loan for a second month from Croydon Athletic, and he has been impressive. Boss Tompkins said: "Ashford's best player was their No 10 Mark Lovell who caused a few problems in the first 10 or 15 minutes. After that, Nathan kept him very quiet."

The tightness of the win was underlined by the fact Paul Jones should have levelled in the second half. Somehow he shot over from eight yards.

Freeman and Green had chances to extend Chipstead's lead, but put them high or wide.

Building settled squad – after coming into the club last summer with no players – has benefited the club, leaving Tompkins optimistic that the club can reach mid-table.

Ahead of Tuesday's Surrey Senior Cup quarter-final he said: "We've got Whitstable Town next Saturday. If we can get three points we can start looking to push up the table."

Third from bottom Town, who lost 3-0 at Chipstead earlier in the season, are the first of two lowly ranked opponents Chips face in the next week. They host Corinthian Casuals on Tuesday and could overtake them.

That would allow them to achieve the aim of bettering their record 15th-place finish, achieved in their first Ryman League season two years ago.

"There are 13 games left. The last one is at home to Eastbourne and I don't want to be having to win that to stay up. I want to put it to bed well before. Hopefully we can get to mid-table. That's our aim."

Tompkins is also hopeful of keeping his 16-strong squad together next term, adding: "I'd like to start next year with the players we've got now and I think we could do all right in the league then."

Next Saturday, Chips will be without midfielder Aaron Smith (suspended), as well as defender Russell Bedford (family matter).

Louis Hollingsworth, back after a stomach operation, was due to play against AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday, with Tompkins insisting beforehand: "That's a game to enjoy. The bigger game for me is at Whitstable on Saturday."