Deal boss Steve King is pleased the five-substitute rule has been introduced at their level this season - having used it to full effect on Saturday.

A first-half hat-trick from striker Aaron Millbank had put the Hoops 3-0 up at Holmesdale.

And, after killing off any hopes of a home comeback in the early stages of the second half, King rotated his squad amid a busy period for his third-placed outfit.

“It was a perfect scenario for us on Saturday,” King admitted.

“We could give boys minutes and keep them ticking over, and just look after a couple that have been playing a lot of minutes. I think the five-substitute rule makes perfect sense.

“Historically, I could take five all the way to London and only three could come on, and the other two are sat on the bench.

“I didn’t want to make them at half-time because I respect Holmesdale. But once we saw those first 15 minutes out, we were able to get those fresh legs on.”

• Deal player makes team of the week

Millbank's treble saw them beat the Dalers in the Southern Counties East Premier Division for their fourth straight success.

“He’s a quality player,” said King.

“We have been delighted with what he offers.

“Saturday, it was his day. The chances dropped to him and he put them in the net.

“Every striker can get on a run and he’d scored a few before Saturday and then got a fantastic hat-trick.

"But Riley Alford was just as good as him. It really is a team effort for us.

"When people are not scoring they contribute in other ways, so we’re delighted for Aaron, but all front three boys did well.”

It’s been another positive week for Deal, who beat fellow high-flyers Erith Town 1-0 last Tuesday through an own goal from Jack Penny’s corner.

King reflected on Monday: “I said this time last week it was another big week for us, and we’re still going and still alive.

“We’ve had two wins and two clean sheets. Results are not going our way elsewhere, but we’re doing what we have to.

“Holmesdale is not an easy place to go but we scored two in 10 minutes and then another before half-time.

"Then, the second half was a bit of a non-event. It’s nine unbeaten and we just keep going.”

It’s also four consecutive clean sheets for Henry Newcombe now and King praised the goalkeeper.

He said: “Since Christmas, he has been outstanding. Every game, he has made a save at a critical time.

“He definitely made a couple against Erith at 0-0 and tipped one onto the woodwork at 2-0 on Saturday.”

Newcombe rejoined the Charles Sports Ground outfit last summer having played on loan for them when at Gillingham.

The boss said: “I’m pleased with how Henry is doing but, also, the boys are doing well in defence.”

Deal host Rusthall this Saturday before a trip to Fisher on Tuesday.

On Rusthall, King noted: “They keep drawing games at the minute but they don’t get beaten.

“We had a really tough game there recently, where we drew 2-2.

"Then next Tuesday, we have the horrific journey to Fisher.

“So it’s another tough week but, if we get through it with seven or nine points from those three games, we’re still in the hunt.”

They won 4-0 at Lordswood on Tuesday.

Riley Alford got things going before second-half strikes from Billy Munday, Kane Smith and Connor Coyne.