Harlow Town were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw against bottom side Ashford Town (Middlesex) in Mark Holloway’s first game as manager.

Holloway took over the reins after the departure of Danny Chapman earlier this month having previously been the assistant under the last boss.

Half an hour into his first game his side went ahead through Tayo Oyebola, but Ashford levelled on the brink of half-time through Sam Humphreys.

The draw ended a run of three successive losses for the Hawks but, disappointingly for them, that was Ashford’s first point in the Isthmian League South Central Division since beating Hanwell Town on November 23.

Things looked to have got off to a good start for Holloway when a long ball forward into the Ashford area was not dealt with properly, and Oyebola was there to bundle the ball home and keep up his good form in front of goal.

However, the lead lasted just 15 minutes as, on the cusp of half-time, Tom Brunton was brought down in the Harlow box, and Humphreys stepped up to level the game.

Both sides went for it in the second half, Harlow in a bid to get just their third win since November and Ashford to potentially move off the foot of the table, but neither of them could find a winner and the spoils were shared.

While not the worst start for Holloway and new assistant David Collis, they will no doubt be disappointed with drawing to the bottom side.

The management duo previously worked together at Hornchurch and Collis was, in the past, a player-coach at both Charlton and Barnet.

The pair have swiftly put their mark on the squad too, bringing in Collis’ nephew, Charlie, from Needham Market, Ellis Ashworth on a dual registration from Royston Town, and midfielder Serge Erkarslan has also returned to the club after a spell at Haringey Borough.