Manager Steve King is calling upon Deal’s squad to improve defensively.

The Hoops suffered their second Southern Counties East Premier Division defeat in six matches on Monday when they lost 3-2 at K Sports.

K Sports were 2-0 ahead before striker Aaron Millbank pulled one back in the first half. Five minutes after the restart, Millbank scored his second, but the home side took the spoils, Jordan Sarfo netting the all-important fifth goal.

King has been pleased with Millbank’s contribution - and those of his other attacking players - this term but he wants to see his side add to their one shut-out so far.

“He, obviously, got another couple of goals. He did well for us,” King said of Millbank.

“We have scored nine goals more than what we had scored at this stage last season. From an attacking point of view, we are pleased with our output. We can still improve but we have been good in that sense.

“It’s defensively at the minute. That’s not just the defence, that’s everyone. We are just not keeping the clean sheets we would like to.

“It’s something we will work on and, hopefully, we will put it right in the coming weeks.”

Deal were always chasing the game at K Sports and, even though they fought back, they left empty-handed.

“Obviously it was a disappointing result,” King reflected.

“K Sports played well, to be fair, they were a lively outfit going forwards, especially on their 3G. We were disappointed with the goals we conceded.

“We created enough chances to win the game but, as a whole team, we are a little bit sloppy defensively. That’s something we have to work on.

“If you go away from home and score twice, you should probably win the game. There’s some nice goals there from their point of view but they are avoidable.

“It’s something we have to improve on and work on.”

The Hoops had been due to play two games in three days but their fixture last Saturday against Rusthall was postponed as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

“I would have had no issue either way. I was just pleased the whole of football made a collective decision,” said King.

This Saturday, third-placed Deal host draw specialists Holmesdale. They have taken a single point from four of their seven games, losing one and winning two as they beat Welling Town 2-1 on Wednesday.

But King said: “Ultimately, we will be preparing for the best version of Holmesdale.

“We will know what to expect and be raring to go on Saturday. We don’t look at any game and think ‘We should win that game’. We look at their strengths and weaknesses and then do our best.

“That’s what we have done the last five or six years and we will continue to do so. We will be favourites but we have to produce, like we did after the Kennington result [Deal's other league defeat this term].

“Then we will try and string two or three wins together, rather than being a little bit inconsistent.”

Deal are still to keep a clean-sheet in the league this season, with their only shut-out coming in a 1-0 FA Cup replay victory at Egham of the Combined Counties League Premier Division North.