Ashley Miller struck late to ensure leaders Deal won a five-goal Southern Counties East Premier Division game at Whitstable on Easter Monday.

Forward Miller made the visitors’ numerical advantage count at the death in their 3-2 victory, substitute James Jeffrey sent off for the hosts in front of a 715-strong crowd at The Belmont shortly after coming on with 20 minutes to play.

Steve King’s side twice had pegged back Marcel Nimani’s men.

A goal by Wes Hennessey made it 1-1 after home striker Emmanuel Oloyede had broken the deadlock while Billy Munday cancelled out big forward Harvey Smith’s second-half strike.

Deal are five points clear at the summit of the table and have played five matches less than second-placed Glebe. But only Glebe have played more league games than sixth-placed Oystermen’s promotion rivals.

Glebe were held to a goalless draw at home against Punjab United.

They are a point clear of third-placed Corinthian, who have two fixtures in hand on them, as Michael Golding’s men responded from their Easter Friday Challenge Cup penalty shoot-out defeat to Erith Town through a 2-1 win over strugglers Stansfeld.

Goals from Jack Billings and Michael Hagan turned the game around after the away team had held a half-time lead.

The Premier Division’s top scorer, Stefan Payne, was at the double in Faversham’s hard-fought 2-1 win at Hollands & Blair.

Trailing to a 13th-minute goal by Steve Gody, Payne then found the net in either half to move to 29 goals for the season.

Fifth-placed Erith Town were 2-0 winners at Rusthall.

Having won the Challenge Cup 72 hours earlier, goals from Harry Taylor and James Dyer got Adam Woodward’s Dockers another valuable three points upon their return to league matters.

Seventh-placed Lydd came from behind to move within five points of the top five, beating Kennington 2-1.

Defender Charlie Dickens put through his own net to give Ton a half-time lead, only for experienced striker Kenny Pogue to swiftly equalise and Harvey Welford to win it in the 86th minute.

Four-goal Trevor McCreadie helped to steer Tunbridge Wells to a 6-2 victory at bottom side Welling Town.

James Shield, Matt Astle and Max Lambert also were on target for Wells, Jamie Fearn and Sam Bailey netting in quick succession as the hosts claimed two mere consolations in the final 10 minutes.

Bearsted kept alive their play-off hopes with a 2-0 win at Snodland.

Eniola Hassan gave Kevin Stevens’ side a first-half advantage and Robbie Roberts added a second late on.

VCD were pegged back late on at home to Sutton Athletic in a 1-1 draw.

Simon Walton got the visitors a share of the spoils after the Vickers had gone ahead inside the first 20 minutes through a goal from defender Jamie Watson.

A goal in either half from Wale Odedoyin and Albie Omara saw Bromley-based Holmesdale to a 2-0 victory at Fisher.