Southern Counties East League round-up: Deal Town lose at Tunbridge Wells, Faversham Town beat fellow play-off hopefuls Corinthian

Champions-elect Deal suffered their first Premier Division defeat since October at Tunbridge Wells on Saturday.

Steve King’s side had won their last 11 league games while the 1-0 defeat was also the first time they’d failed to find the net since that last loss, 3-0 at home to Snodland on October 24.

Wells’ winner in front of a crowd of 422 at the Culverden was scored by in-form captain Trevor McCreadie.

The race for the play-offs looks set to go to the wire. Third-placed Corinthian made the trip to fourth-placed Faversham and it was Tommy Warrilow’s men who ran out 4-0 winners.

Nathan Wood gave Faversham an eighth-minute lead and captain Connor Essam quickly added a second. The points were made safe by a late brace from striker Stefan Payne, his second coming from the penalty spot.

To make matters worse, visiting defender Sam Fitzgerald was sent off in the second half after he got a yellow card.

Corinthian’s defeat means Deal need just four points from their last six games to win the title. Deal visit Lordswood on Tuesday night before hosting Lydd next weekend.

Erith Town made it three straight wins with a 2-1 success at home to VCD.

Harry Taylor had already hit the bar by the time James Miles gave them a first-half lead.

Taylor added a second after the break before VCD were awarded a penalty midway through the second half which was converted by Zak Bryon.

Whitstable enjoyed their biggest league win of the season, 5-0 at home to Sutton Athletic.

The hosts dominated the first half but didn’t go ahead until Emmanuel Oloyede scored on the stroke of half-time.

The goals flowed after the break with Will Thomas and Josh Oliver making it 3-0 within 10 minutes. George Sheminant added a fourth and James Jeffrey scored the fifth