For the 1995–96 season the first round draw saw Ashford paired with non-league Bognor Regis Town, with the tie at Bognor. Ashford did the hard work, achieving a 1–1 draw on the south coast but lost 0–1 at home in the replay. The match a complete anti-climax and after being delayed by a power cut, Carlton Wynter then hit the post in the opening minute, the hosts just knew it just wasn't going to be their night. It was also the first time the club had been knocked out in the 'proper' rounds of the cup by a fellow non-league team. Perhaps the team were trying to save the supporters the trauma of a trip to Peterborough (the scene of the 1972–73 FA Trophy semi-final defeat) who awaited them in the next round.