Manager Derek Hares says he "can’t quite believe" Deal Town’s current misfortunes.

Already without first-choice keeper Paul Rogers, Hares saw stand-in Brad Ashmore sent-off after 13 minutes on Saturday as Deal slid to a 5-1 defeat at Beckenham.

Hares said: "I have never had less than five players unavailable for every game this season. Paul missed last Saturday because of his ankle injury and then we had Brad sent off so it was a double whammy.

"But I was pleased with the way we played in the second half. We could have caved in but the lads showed a lot of character and we created two or three good chances."

Hares is hoping that Rogers may be fit to return for this Saturday’s home game against Sevenoaks.