It’s back to FA Cup action this Saturday for Deal and manager Steve King claims they have nothing to lose.

The Hoops will visit Isthmian South East side Three Bridges after Riley Alford scored the only goal in their Extra Preliminary Round replay at Egham last Tuesday.

Three Bridges won 3-0 against Deal’s Southern Counties East Premier Division rivals Whitstable in the previous round but King doesn’t think his troops should fear taking on the Sussex side.

“From our point-of-view as a management team, we have been working on it since last Tuesday,” said King, whose Deal side went joint-top of the league on Tuesday alongside Rusthall with a 3-1 win over Canterbury City through efforts from Tom Chapman, Ben Chapman and an own goal.

“But, as a group, we will not talk about it until Wednesday. They should beat us in theory, they beat Whitstable in the Extra Preliminary Round, but we don’t mind being underdogs.

“We were probably underdogs against Glebe and in the replay as well.

“We will have good support, we have nothing to lose. If we get a draw and they have to come here on a Tuesday night, that won’t be the worst result for us.

“If we get into the First Qualifying Round, that’s when the Isthmian Premier teams come in - the likes of Folkestone and Margate.

“We have played a lot of good sides in the last few years so we will not be going there with any fear.”

Striker Aaron Millbank started for the first time on Saturday as Deal beat Punjab United 2-1 in Southern Counties East.

Millbank had plenty of higher-league offers but it was the Hoops who won the race to sign the former Gillingham frontman.

King added: “Our aim is to get the best local players.

“We are not going to sign many from Maidstone or London. Our aim was always to, over time, bring in the best local players.

“Tom Chapman was a big signing last season as well in that respect. That will continue to be our plan over the next year or two.

“I know Aaron turned down offers from the league above. I’m sure that, financially, he turned down better offers.

“But he will be a big part of what we are doing in the coming season and then going forward.”

Deal head into another busy week on the back of their victory at Punjab which came courtesy of first-half strikes by Tom Chapman and Ben Chapman.

“We were pleased,” King reflected.

“The conditions made it very difficult, it was ridiculously hot. I think Gravesend is usually one of the places when they look for the hottest temperatures in the UK.

“But they are a decent side to be fair, and it could turn out to be a very good three points.

“We were very good for 35 minutes, we controlled the game and went 2-0 up. But they got back into it.

“Then the last 20 minutes, it was a bit of an onslaught to be honest. I think it’s good for the boys’ confidence to see the game through in difficult conditions.

“It certainly wasn’t a classic or the prettiest of games, but it’s a valuable three points for us.”

That match also saw defender Alfie Foster make his 150th appearance for the club.

King said: “When we talk about a project, a big part of our project is keeping the same core of players. Alfie is a massive part of that.

“Although he is only 24, he is a very experienced player. Him and Kane [Smith] are massive for us.

“I’m really pleased for Alfie to bring that milestone up and I’m sure there will be many more appearances to come for him.”

Deal have been drawn away to Division 1 Lydd in the second round of the Challenge Cup.