Ashford United manager Kevin Watson speaks of a test of character after three successive defeats in Isthmian South East

Kevin Watson says Ashford are facing a test of character going into the Christmas period.

The Nuts & Bolts have slipped to 10th in Isthmian South East after three successive league defeats.

Their latest loss came at Phoenix Sports on Saturday, going down 3-1 on a disappointing afternoon.

Morale was lifted, however, by a 4-2 League Cup win over Westfield on Tuesday night, thanks to goals from Danny Parish, Harvey Brand, Rhyle Ovenden and Ben Gorham.

Ashford host Hythe on Boxing Day and Erith & Belvedere on Saturday, December 30 before visiting Watson’s former club, Herne Bay, on New Year’s Day (all 3pm).

Ashford boss Watson said: “I fundamentally believe when you go through spells like this in a season it’s about the character of the collective group and the character of individuals, and the word we’re using a lot is accountability.

“That starts with me and it feeds through the management team and the players.

“This will be the test, I think, because we’ve not been in this situation where we’ve lost three on the bounce, so we will learn about our strength as a group.

“I don’t tend to have high player turnover. I’ve never really believed in that.

“That’s not to say we don’t look to recruit if we can find players that are the right personalities and the right fit to come in, but we’re also loyal to players.”

Ashford lost one in seven and seemed to be headed in the right direction before their mini-slump.

They went down 2-0 at home to Cray Valley and blew a 3-1 lead in a 4-3 defeat by Lancing before slipping up at Phoenix.

Tariq Ossai pulled a goal back after the Nuts & Bolts trailed 2-0 but the hosts added a late third.

“At any level, if you lose three on the bounce, it gives others an opportunity to make ground up and you