Danny Kedwell is desperate to keep Ashford United’s FA Cup run going after a big effort from his players.

The Nuts & Bolts have won four matches to reach the third qualifying round and on Saturday (3pm) bid for an upset at Chertsey.

Their opponents, FA Vase winners in 2019, play a level above Kedwell’s men in Southern League Premier South after winning the Isthmian South Central title last season.

Whoever advances will be one win away from a place in the first round proper and a potential tie against a Football League club.

For Ashford, it’s already the furthest they’ve been since reforming in 2011 while under their former Ashford Town guise they last reached the fourth qualifying round in 1997.

“At the end of the day, if we get a good result on Saturday, we’re one win away from the first round,” said manager Kedwell.

“It would be good for the club, good for the boys and good for the town.

“We’ve got to be at it because Chertsey are a very good team.

“I’ve had them watched a couple of times and they’re a big, physical side with very good wingers, especially on the right.

“They’re going to be tough and, being away, it’s always harder.

“It would be a big upset, where they’re in the league above, but it would be disappointing to go out now after getting this far.

“This is what I keep telling the boys, we’ve got this far, so why can’t we go all the way to the first round?

“That would be the most disappointing thing after coming this far and getting so close.

“It’s the best the club have done since reforming, so we’ve already made history, but it would be lovely to go all the way and try and get a big team in the first round.”

Ashford have the top scorer in the competition in Gary Lockyer, who leads the race for the Golden Ball with nine goals.

The award is presented at Wembley on FA Cup final day.

“He doesn’t stop going on about it,” joked Kedwell.

“He reckons it’s made him famous.

“He’s been on talkSPORT and all that and I’ve said to him, ‘Mate, you get a bit of fame once in your lifetime and this is yours, it’s the only fame you’re going to get!’

“He’s doing really well, Gary. He is what he is. He’s always had a good goal ratio, he’s delivering in the FA Cup and FA Trophy and I’m sure he’ll do well in the league as well.”

Lockyer scored both goals as Ashford beat Hartley Wintney 2-1 in the FA Trophy second qualifying round on Saturday.

They’ve been drawn at home to Walton & Hersham in the final qualifying round on October 5.

Lockyer broke the deadlock two minutes after the break and doubled Ashford’s lead midway through the second half before Hartley replied with 10 minutes remaining.

“I wasn’t very pleased with the first half, the tempo could have been much better,” said Kedwell.

“I think we’d have done more damage if it was.

“The second half was much better and it was good to get another win and stay in the Trophy.

“We’re getting better and better and we’re only going to keep improving.”

Kedwell turned out at centre-half as much-changed Ashford, featuring a host of youngsters, lost 3-0 at Cray Valley in the Kent Senior Cup first round on Tuesday night.

The Nuts & Bolts are due to host Margate in the Velocity Cup second round on Tuesday (7.45pm) but the tie will be postponed if either club face an FA Cup replay.