An impressive unbeaten streak for Deal is set to face a stern test.

Despite having played more fixtures than the two teams behind them, a run of 11 matches without defeat has moved the Hoops well and truly into contention for a second-placed Southern Counties East Premier Division finish.

That run has included eight victories in total, five successive clean sheets and six wins in a row, the latest of which came courtesy of a 1-0 success over Rusthall on Saturday.

But there’s another big week ahead for Deal, who tonight are due to visit Fisher and travel to Glebe this Saturday.

On Glebe, boss Steve King said: “They have got a lot of good players.

“If we can keep going, it’ll be really pleasing because it will be so difficult.

“But no one will want to play us at the minute. After we’ve got through these two, five of our last seven [league] games are at home.

“If we can keep in the hunt with Phoenix and Erith by next Monday, we’re going to be in a great place.”

Young defender Alex Green has now joined permanently from Dover after a loan stint and was involved in the goal as striker Connor Coyne’s early effort proved the difference between the Hoops and Rusthall.

“He was very good on Saturday,” King said.

“We had a situation where Dover were considering calling him back so we took the decision to take him permanently until the end of the season. He has been excellent in our run.

“Him and Kane Smith - against Louie Clarke, the top scorer in the league - did a very good job to keep a clean sheet.”

Green is certainly making a big impression at the Charles Sports Ground but, aged just 19, he looks set to play higher-league football before too long.

King said: “It’s no secret that I would like to keep him longer term.

“But I have no doubt that he will be playing at a higher level - hopefully, that’s with us!

“I think it’s important for young lads to play games. I see loads of young players that don’t play much three-point football.

“They then get to 21 or 22 and they have not played a lot of senior football. But Alex has come in and been a big asset for us.”

The Hoops’ unbeaten run has come after their unusual FA Vase exit, with Deal twice unsuccessfully travelling to Corsham before the tie was finally played - and they were knocked out.

King said: “There was a danger we could have let the season peter out and not had a Final. It would have been a bit of a damp squib.

“But we’ve got ourselves in the top four and into a cup Final so credit to them all for how they have responded.”

Striker Aaron Millbank missed the match against Rusthall through a slight knock while young attacker Lenny Atherton has also joined on dual-registration from Isthmian Premier Folkestone.

Midfielder Macauley Murray is also close to a return to fitness and - despite getting stick from team-mates, with his injury coinciding with their recent impressive form - his boss will only be too pleased to see him return.

King said: “He’s a key player for us so I’m looking forward to having him back.”