Deal Town boss Steve King on his side’s controversial 2-1 Isthmian South East home loss to second-placed AFC Croydon Athletic; Trips to Erith Town and AFC Whyteleafe next for Hoops

Deal’s seven-match winning run ended on Saturday - but boss Steve King thinks they performed better than they had done in those other recent fixtures.

The Hoops saw their outside chances of finishing in an Isthmian South East play-off place get hit in a controversial 2-1 home defeat to second-placed AFC Croydon Athletic.

That defeat came just days after Deal had thrashed hapless basement boys East Grinstead 9-0 but King couldn’t have been prouder with how his men played against Danny Kedwell’s outfit.

“We had won seven on the bounce before Saturday and I’m struggling to think of a better performance in those seven wins,” said King, whose team will visit Erith Town tonight. “That’s how well I thought we played.

“It’s credit to Croydon, as well, and why they are where they are in the league.

“If I’m saying I felt we played better than we did in a 9-0 win and in a 4-1 win against Herne Bay, and we didn’t win, that’s credit to Croydon and the strength of their side.

“I thought we were really good. I felt sorry for the players after the game because I don’t think there was a huge amount more they could have given.

“Obviously, you can always look at little bits of quality and mistakes - but players at all levels make mistakes.

“I don’t think there’s much more we could have given on Saturday. That’s what I found quite deflating but, also, I’m quite buoyant now.

“We can take a lot of positives from it.”

Forward Jamie Kennedy put King’s side ahead in the first 20 minutes at the Charles Sports Ground but that advantage lasted only eight minutes.

The Hoops hit the woodwork through left-back Jack Penny and, after the break, had two goals ruled out for fouls on away keeper Frankie Beckles.

The decisive moment then came when former