Horsham put their recent defeats against Boreham Wood and Kingstonian behind them to see off the challenge of in-form Ashford Town with a performance described by John Maggs as "one of the best of the season."

On a night of high drama, and talking points aplenty, it was Horsham's teenage trio that particularly caught the eye with Adam Hutchings and Tony Nwachukwu grabbing the goals in a devastating opening spell that left the visitors' 12 match unbeaten run in tatters. Not to be outdone, 18 year old Josh Pelling marked his home debut with a series of vital saves including a first half penalty from Brian Haule to help move the Hornets to within a point of the play-off positions.

The result was tainted, though, by a less than convincing display from the match officials who caused frequent bemusement and frustration to both sides through a number of puzzling decisions, culminating in the contentious dismissal of Alex Haddow, who was shown a second yellow card for an alleged trip on Warren Harris five minutes from time.

Maggs had been sufficiently impressed by Hutchings and Nwachukwu's impact in the weekend defeat by Kingstonian to reward the two with a place in the starting line-up for this traditional 'three-pointer' for the Hornets but any pleasure he might taken from their inclusion was tempered by the late withdrawal of Claude Seanla who had gone down with a virus during the day. Ben Andrews, a doubt in the hours leading up to the match because of a groin strain, declared himself fit to play and slotted in alongside Pat Harding in the attack while Mark Knee and Alex Haddow returned to the starting XI in place of Ian Payne and Sam Tucknott, both of whom dropped to the bench. Despite Ashford's dismal run of just one point from 6 visits to Horsham, few would have bet against an away win in this rearranged Ryman Premier Division fixture but their preparations were hit by a number of player withdrawals, among them the highly rated Byron Harrison. Scott Harris, Vinnie O'Sullivan and the departed Adam Logie were all absent from the side that had won 3-2 at Tooting & Mitcham on Saturday while skipper Paul Johnson was drafted in to the back four from his favoured midfield role.

Without a league goal in more than 3.5 hours of football, no-one would have anticipated the whirlwind start from the home side that produced 2 quickfire goals in the first 11 minutes, with Hutchings and Nwachukwu at the heart of things. The first, on 8 minutes, owed much to two of the club's more senior players as Haddow's fine cross was headed powerfully goalwards by Andrews and Nwachukwu was quickest to react after Paul Burgess could only parry the ball away, the youngster stabbing the ball home at the foot of the post.

The biggest cheer, though, undoubtedly came when Hutchings claimed his first senior goal for the club in Horsham's next attack. Acheampong's measured pass played Nwachukwu in to space beyond the full-back and the talented winger raced to the goal-line before pulling the ball back for Hutchings to thrash a first time shot high in to the net. It was tremendous start for Horsham and totally vindicated the manager's decision to include the youngsters in the starting XI.

Pelling, signed on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion earlier in the day, showed he wasn't afraid to go in where it hurts when he produced a confident punch when under pressure from Jamie England's cross but the more meaningful action continued at the car park end of the ground where another terrific pass - this time from Steve Sargent - sent Nwachukwu charging down the right flank to earn his side a corner.

Ashford had a golden opportunity to reduce the arrears midway through the half when Brian Haule broke clear of the defence, skipped past Pelling, and shot towards the empty net but an unfortunate bounce saw the ball come back off the upright to enable Andrews to clear and Harris fired the loose ball over the top. Acheampong became the first to fall foul of referee Kelly when he was cautioned for pulling back an opponent and, from the resulting free-kick, Johnson sent in a fine rising shot just inches past the far post.

Hutchings' confidence increased with every pass, and every tackle, but his audacious overhead kick failed to truly trouble Burgess who made a comfortable claim underneath his own crossbar. But the Hornets didn't have long to wait before claiming their 3rd of the night and, once again, it was a goal as stunning in its execution as it was in its inception. Inevitably, Nwachukwu was involved when he and Sargent combined to set Andrews free down the right and when the big target man crossed low and hard in to the penalty area, Harding stepped over the ball to allow Haddow a free strike and he made no mistake, rifling the ball in to the bottom corner of the net with Burgess given no chance.

However, Ashford showed that they weren't giving this one up without a fight and Horsham were grateful to Pelling for a fine save from Brian Haule after the big number nine had cut inside Sam Page and shot from the edge of the area. Hutchings' adventurous spirit saw him badly miscue a volley from 20 yards and a disputed judgment from the linesman brought play back after a rather more cultured attack had seen Nwachukwu put Harding in for a clear run on goal.

That marginal offside call was the prelude to an even greater miscarriage when, on 41 minutes, a loose pass from Sargent gifted possession to the pacy Jermaine McGlashan who raced away from Jack Page before being caught by the young full-back on the edge of the penalty area. McGlashan's momentum saw him tumble in to the box, prompting Mr Kelly to award the visitors a penalty to the utter consternation of the home side. Justice was seen to be done, though, when Pelling guessed correctly and dived to his right to smother Brian Haule's weak effort to maintain Horsham's 3-0 advantage at the break.

H/T Horsham 3 Ashford Town 0

The second half began with the hosts initially in the ascendancy once more and a good turn and cross from Harding saw Andrews' far post header well saved on his line by Burgess. But more controversy was to follow, 8 minutes after the restart, when Johnson attacked down the wing and centred for the unmarked England to shoot at goal from less than 5 yards out. Miraculously, Pelling spread himself full length to repel the Ashford man's effort and grab hold of the ball as it spooned above him, only for the linesman to indicate that the ball had crossed the line. Quite how the official could have made such an important decision, positioned close to the Ashford dug-out rather than in line with play, is anyone's guess and Pelling's anger was compounded with a yellow card for his protests.

With memories of Horsham's failure to hold on to a 4-1 lead against Barton Rovers earlier in the season, the home fans endured a few nervy moments in the minutes that followed Ashford's goal. Jack Page made a crucial interception ahead of England, from a cross by the increasingly dangerous McGlashan, and Pelling stood up well to deny Harris with his legs with the subsequent corner crying out for an Ashford head to make contact.

Light rain began to fall, making the already uncertain surface more difficult to master, but Horsham engineered another good break that was to result in their 4th goal to restore their three goal margin on 64 minutes. Knee passed inside to Sargent and the midfielder played a delightful ball behind the full-back for Haddow to cross for Harding who finished at the second time of asking, after Burgess and the post had kept out the striker's first attempt.

Player/coach Jamie Lawrence brought himself in to the fray in place of England, with 20 minutes remaining, and he soon joined his players in a packed penalty box for a free-kick cheaply conceded by Hutchings but fired straight at Pelling by Harris. Haddow's show of petulance in kicking the ball away in reaction to the free-kick award was to earn him a yellow card, a poor misjudgement that would cost him dear later on.

Ashford continued to battle on and should have closed the gap again when another teasing cross from McGlashan somehow missed three team-mates inside the 6 yard box before running under Knee's foot and out of play for a goal-kick. The home side continued to be riled by some of Mr Kelly's decisions and Andrews was cautioned for dissent, having already been warned twice by the referee. Pelling stood firm to repel anther chance for the visitors when Harris got behind the defence to tee up Lawrence who turned and sent in a low shot that was well saved and gathered in safely away from the lurking boot of Brian Haule.

Next it was Ashford's turn to criticise the referee when a strong run from McGlashan was ended abruptly on the far side of the 18 yard box but, just as the travelling fans were preparing to celebrate a second penalty award of the night, the dashing winger was booked for an apparent simulation and a free-kick awarded to the Hornets to howls of discontent from the touchlines.

Harding should have taken his season's tally to 15 goals after a determined run from Jack Page saw him shrug off 3 challenges before playing a slide rule pass for his team-mate but the striker blazed high over the crossbar from 14 yards. Haddow then dispossessed Scott Weight by the corner flag to feed Hutchings, whose pass to Nwachukwu saw Burgess forced in to a low save, before Kelly brought the curtain down on a lamentable night's work from the man in the middle when Haddow raced 30 yards to dispossess Harris with what looked a perfect slide tackle only to receive his marching orders for a second caution of the night.

Horsham had a further 10 minutes to play out before celebrating their victory and they suffered just one further scare when Johnson's free-kick caused confusion in the penalty box before Guy Hollis put the ball wide from close range.

NEXT MATCH: v Maidstone United (a) Saturday 13th February ko 3pm