Boss Derek Hares is keen to quickly move on from Deal’s heavy defeat at Sheppey.

The fourth-placed Hoops were hammered 7-1 by Southern Counties East Premier Division leaders Sheppey on Saturday, with the Ites now in the driving seat in their title race with Chatham.

But with just four league matches to play now this term, starting at home to relegation-threatened Lordswood this weekend, Hares is eager for Deal to finish their campaign in style.

“Every time we have had a knock-back, the lads have bounced back,” he said.

“We have four games left now, three at home - against Lordswood, Punjab and Crowborough - and an away game at Chatham which, obviously, will be tough.

“We just have to put last Saturday down to a bad day at the office and move on.”

Second-bottom Lordswood are the visitors to the Charles Sports Ground this Saturday.

But under manager Richard Dimmock, Lords have been in improved form and are only three points behind third-bottom Rusthall, although they lost 3-0 at third-placed Glebe last weekend.

Hares, whose side drew 1-1 at Glebe last Tuesday with Ben Chapman scoring, said: “They are fighting for their lives so I’m sure it’s going to be a tough game.

“They have everything to gain. We certainly will not be taking it lightly.

"But if you look at our home record, we have got a good chance.”

Billy Munday struck for Deal at Sheppey, who are already promoted, but the Hoops were 4-0 behind at that stage.

Hares reflected: “We could have played better. But there was certainly not a lack of effort or commitment from us.

“When they broke, they were clinical and took their chances. I cannot sum it up any other way, really.

“We had one or two players missing, which didn’t help, but we cannot use that as an excuse because we still put out a strong enough side.

“First half especially, we went in 2-0 down but, to be honest, I thought we had more chances. They just took theirs which was the difference.

“Second half, they were just clinical so we have got to give them credit as well.”

Meanwhile Littlehampton, who knocked Deal out of the FA Vase, have now reached the final of the competition.

They are the third side in the past three seasons to knock the Hoops out before reaching the final at Wembley, following in the footsteps of Consett (in the delayed 2019/20 final) and Binfield (2020/21).

Hares joked: “Everyone will want to play us in the FA Vase next season!”

Striker Connor Coyne (broken hand) could be back for the clash against Lordswood, while the versatile Jack Paxman, who was away for the Sheppey match, is expected to return.