Deal saw off Cobham at home to progress into the last 16 of the FA Vase.

A goal in either half came from left-back Jack Penny set-pieces in their 2-0 triumph, Ben Chapman opening the scoring and Rory Smith getting their second as they made it 11 wins in 12 matches.

The hosts, who had won the competition in 2000 under Tommy Sampson, created their first chance in the seventh minute at the Charles Sports Ground when Billy Munday nodded narrowly over the crossbar from a right-wing cross after a short corner.

But Steve King’s in-form Southern Counties East Premier Division troops took the lead on 16 minutes, as the game burst to life in front of a big crowd of 716.

Cobham captain Reis Stanislaus forced a simple save from home goalkeeper James Tonkin while busy away counterpart Rourke Pickford tipped over forward Smith’s shot after a fine move.

But, from the corner, Deal did break the deadlock. Ben Chapman headed Penny’s cross beyond Pickford for his 10th goal of the season.

Tonkin was again busy for the hosts not long after, though. He did just enough to ensure a shot from Jacob Desa went narrowly wide of his right-hand post.

Another excellent Penny cross caused problems in the visiting defence shortly before the half-hour mark, his delivery flashing across goal.

Pickford did well to deny Tom Chapman, who had twisted and turned his way through, two minutes before the interval on a bitterly cold January afternoon.

Nic Osborne went close to an equaliser at the other end. He broke through and saw his strike slide agonisingly wide of the on-rushing Tonkin’s right-hand post.

New winger Ashley Miller and home skipper Aaron Millbank then linked up well, only to be thwarted by a last-ditch tackle, before Pickford met right-back Ife Oni after he had broken through.

But Combined Counties Premier Division South Cobham remained in the contest at this stage and went close when the experienced Stanislaus blasted over.

Four minutes after the restart, the home side almost doubled their advantage through brothers Ben and Tom Chapman. Pickford tipped over a header from the former before the latter somehow missed the target from yards out.

Ben Chapman again tried his luck for Deal as his 58th-minute effort went inches wide of outstretched Pickford’s left-hand post.

Four minutes later, Cobham player Josh Andrews somehow kept out a powerful Tom Chapman drive on the line.

A second for the hosts had appeared elusive until another fantastic set-piece by Penny. He sent in an in-swinging free-kick and Smith was on hand to hammer home at the back post.

With 20 minutes left, Cobham midfielder Derick Hayford tried his luck, albeit his strike went well wide.

Tonkin then made a vital double save. He denied Desa and was able to block the follow-up shot by substitute Jack Sims, too.

Tom Chapman should have joined his brother on the scoresheet but was denied by Pickford in stoppage time with the goal gaping.

It mattered little, though, and the Hoops also pocketed another £1,875 in prize money with the win. They had seen off Newhaven (4-1) and Lingfield (2-0) to reach this stage of the competition.

Debutant Miller came in from the start for the home team after he joined in the week from rivals Faversham.

Tonkin played in goal for the Hoops, with first-choice stopper Henry Newcombe injured during the first half of Tuesday’s Challenge Cup 5-1 home win against Staplehurst, while player-goalkeeping coach Kieron Hollier was on their substitutes' bench.

Penny marked his 150th club appearance in style and Oni returned, too. He had pulled out in the warm-up ahead of their 1-1 league draw at Holmesdale last weekend.

Deal Town: Tonkin, Oni (Reeves 73mins), Penny, Green, Munday, T.Chapman, Murray, Millbank, B.Chapman, R.Smith (K.Smith 68mins), Miller (Coyne 90mins). Subs not used: Hark, Byford, Hanson, Hollier.

Cobham: Pickford, Nazzareth (Simmons 68mins), Charles, Boyer (Peart 80mins), Alexiou, Connelly, Andrews, Osborne, Stanislaus, Hayford (Sims 73mins), Desa. Subs not used: King, Hellestoe.

Referee: Joe Burgess.

Attendance: 716.