Rory Smith returned with a bang to help Deal record a much-needed league win on Saturday.

Forward Smith bagged the winning goal in the second half of the Hoops’ 2-1 Isthmian South East home victory against basement boys Phoenix Sports, who had two men sent off.

Smith, who hasn’t played first-team football since mid-October, had been due to play for the under-23s to build-up his fitness - only for that fixture to be postponed.

Nevertheless, Deal manager Steve King named him on the substitutes’ bench against Phoenix, bringing him on midway through the first half for the injured Jamie Kennedy, and Smith vindicated his decision.

Deal’s win came after a run of five defeats in six league matches.

“It was a bit of a strange one,” revealed King, who also hopes to have striker Aaron Millbank back soon.

“He didn’t end up playing for the under-23s last Thursday because that game got postponed because of the weather.

“When Jamie Kennedy went down after about 20 minutes on Saturday, I just turned around and looked at him. The plan wasn’t for him to play 60 or 70 minutes.

“But he took his goal - a real poacher’s goal - well and got through it okay.

“Credit to the physio [Tony Henderson] and everyone else that has got him back playing for us.”

Smith struck after top scorer Tom Chapman - his cousin - had got the home side level at the Charles Sports Ground. Phoenix had broken the deadlock in the 40th minute.

King added: “The scoreline doesn’t reflect the game.

“I thought we were very dominant and played very well against a side that I don’t think will end up finishing where they are now. Since Darren Anslow has gone in, they have improved markedly.

“They gave Ramsgate and Margate good games recently.

“We conceded an unfortunate goal from an over-hit cross that went in during gale-force winds. But we got the equaliser before half-time, which was important.

“Then, we could have had four or five in the second half. Even with them having men sent off, all the while it’s just a one-goal lead, you’re on edge a little bit. But we got the three points.”

The visitors finished the match with just nine players as Deshane Dalling and Perri Iandolo got second bookings on 55 and 75 minutes, respectively.

Deal man makes team-of-the-week

But asked if either dismissal had changed the game, King replied: “No.

“They’re two of those red cards that happen because of our dominance.

“There was a very strong wind straight down the pitch on Saturday. We went into it in the first half and it was a pretty even game.

“Phoenix were a threat, even if their goal was a bit fortunate. But in the second half, it was all us.

“The sending-offs didn’t change the game, we just couldn’t score that third goal. Even Saturday sort of summed up the last few weeks that we have been having, where we couldn’t get that third goal.

“If we had got it, we could have been talking about a comfortable result rather than a reasonably tight one.”

That league victory came after last midweek’s 2-0 Kent Senior Cup quarter-final loss at higher-division neighbours Dover in front of a crowd of more than 1,000 at Crabble.

King said: “They will say they got a clean sheet, a goal in either half and got through a potential banana skin reasonably comfortably.

“But we caused them problems and know it could have turned out very differently on another day. We had three or four balls flash across the box, which people didn’t get on the end of.

“I know they weren’t at full-strength but that was a strong side they put out. The forward boys - George Nikaj, Ruben Soares-Junior and Alfie Matthews - started.

“It was a good test for us and we did the club proud. I think, in the end, it was a good night for both clubs.”

Next up for Deal is Saturday’s journey to mid-table AFC Croydon Athletic, now led by former Gillingham coach and experienced Football League boss Keith Millen.

King said: “They’re a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde side.

"They have got a lot of experience and some that have come out of Crystal Palace’s youth team.

“Their manager was in caretaker charge of Gillingham only last season. They have had some good results this season - and maybe some that you’re a bit surprised about.

“We know about them but maybe not necessarily what to expect. It will be a really interesting one.

“If we get the best version of AFC Croydon, we will need to be at our best and, even then, it’ll be tough.”

Forward Brandon Pierrick is AFC Croydon’s top scorer on 17 goals this season.