Deal boss Derek Hares admitted he was “gobsmacked” after watching his side run Bulmers Cider Kent League title-contenders Tunbridge Wells very close at the Charles Sports Ground on Saturday.

Hares received the manager-of-the-month award for October before the game but saw Wells take the lead, before Dave Bathgate levelled from the spot in the second half.

Deal then missed a great chance to make it 2-1 and paid the price as Wells score twiced in the final seven minutes to take the points.

Hares said: “I think 3-1 flattered them and my lads were down at the end and I was gobsmacked that we lost the game.”