Striker Gary Lockyer is answering his critics at Ashford in the best possible way.

Lockyer scored for the second week running as the Nuts & Bolts maintained their Isthmian South East play-off push with a 2-0 win at Three Bridges on Saturday.

He’s their 16-goal leading scorer, which makes the stick he’s received all the more puzzling.

“Gal’s had unjust criticism from a section of fans but unfortunately that’s what happens in football,” said Ashford manager Tommy Warrilow.

“We had seven days in for him the other week but he’s a local boy who loves the club and supports the club and is involved with the club.

“He wears his heart on his sleeve and he gets frustrated when things don’t go for him, but we had a good chat and he’s cashed in with goals in the last two games. Not that he’s got anything to prove to us.

“He gives absolutely everything in every game he plays and the criticism has been really unfair.

“Where he’s a local boy, he probably feels it more because he lives in the town and you can’t get away from it.

“But he’s a big boy as well and he’s going to play a massive part in our run-in. I’m glad he’s getting goals but I wouldn’t be concerned if he wasn’t because his overall game’s been brilliant and I know what he brings to the team.

“Defenders are so wary of him, sometimes he can take two out of a game and make space for others.”

Lockyer added to Johan ter Horst’s opener as seventh-placed Ashford stayed a point behind Sevenoaks, who occupy the final play-off spot.

The game also marked the return of midfielder Rhyle Ovenden after 14 months out with a knee injury.

He came on as a 74th-minute substitute for Rob Saunders.

“I’m so pleased for him,” said Warrilow. “You won’t meet a more professional boy than Rhyle.

“It’s such a long time to be out. We’ve not pushed him, it’s all been done properly.

“He’s been getting some game time in the Sussex League on dual-reg and he’s been flying in training.

“Everyone’s pleased to see him back and I’m hoping he’ll have a massive part to play between now and the end of the season.”

The only downside at Three Bridges was a late red card for midfielder Cameron Brodie.

He was dismissed along with the hosts’ Curtis Gayler after the pair clashed in the last minute.

The Nuts & Bolts have lodged an appeal which, if unsuccessful, will see Brodie serve a three-game suspension.

“Refereeing is a tough job but so is being a football manager,” said Warrilow.

“When you see some of the challenges that went unpunished, it’s very, very harsh.

“It’s the last minute of the game. The referee just needed to have a little chat with both boys.

“There’s nothing in it. There’s no punches thrown or anything like that. I just feel the referee could have used a bit of common sense there.”

Ashford visit Cray Valley on Saturday.

* A dominant performance from Ashford United ladies saw them beat Richmond Park 5-1 to reach the London & South East League Cup Final.

Two-goal Becky Wyatt netted either side of Jade Steadman’s effort in the 31st minute to make it 3-0, with Wyatt’s second an absolute rocket.

Richmond were able to get one back shortly before the break, only for Lizzie Mills and Katie Stokley to round off the win with strikes after the restart.

Second-placed Ashford travel to second-bottom Maidstone United in Division 1 South this Sunday.