Substitute Kai Garrett scored a late winner on his debut as Ashford stormed back to beat AFC Croydon in Isthmian South East.
Former Nuts & Bolts boss Danny Kedwell was on track to mark his return to Homelands with a win as Kadell Daniel and Reece Grant gave his second-placed side a 2-0 lead.
But Will Moses launched the fightback, Louis Collins levelled and teenager Garrett, Ashford’s new signing from Ramsgate, struck five minutes from time to earn a 3-2 victory and a sixth win in seven games under Craig Stone.
Evergreen Derek Asamoah struck twice as Sittingbourne came from a goal down to leapfrog promotion rivals AFC Whyteleafe into fourth place.
Ex-Dover striker Moses Emmanuel put hosts Leafe in front at the break but 44-year-old Asamoah scored twice in eight second-half minutes to earn a 2-1 win and a ninth win in 10 games for manager Reece Prestedge.
Nathan Wood scored the only goal after three minutes as Faversham retained third place with a 1-0 away win against Merstham.
All the goals came in the first half as Margate recovered from an early Scott Faber strike to win 3-1 at Hassocks.
Player-boss Ben Greenhalgh equalised, Kane Haysman made it 2-1 and TT Walters clinched victory.
Warren Mfula scored an 84th-minute winner as Sevenoaks claimed a fifth straight victory with a 1-0 Kent derby success at Herne Bay.
Jack Paxman added to an own goal as Deal won 2-0 at Broadbridge Heath.
Sheppey twice fought back from a goal down to draw 2-2 with Eastbourne Town at Holm Park.
Billy Bennett cancelled out Aaron Capon’s first-minute opener and Lex Allan struck on the hour after Alfie Rogers edged Town back in front.
VCD remain three points from safety after losing 3-0 at home to Hastings.
New signing Ryan Kingsford made his debut as Isthmian Premier leaders Folkestone drew 0-0 at Carshalton.
Kingsford, who joined from Ramsgate for an undisclosed fee, lined up in midfield as Invicta moved 12 points clear with the goalless draw.
Forward Jonathan Lawson, a loan signing from Championship club Watford, was handed his debut as a half-time substitute.
Ramsgate moved up to 13th after a 3-1 home win against Chichester City.
Ian Gayle broke the deadlock after five minutes and Kweku Lucan scored on his debut at the start of the second half.
City replied through Miles Obodo but skipper TJ Jadama clinched victory with a late third.
Defender Lekan Majoyegbe scored the only goal just past the hour mark as Welling boosted their survival hopes with a 1-0 home win over Wingate & Finchley.
The Wings are now seven points from safety.
Cray Valley lost 5-0 at St Albans and are two points clear of the bottom four.
Dartford drew 2-2 at Hashtag on Friday night. Read the report here.
