A long-awaited cup-final spot is within Deal’s sights.

The Hoops can book their place in the Kent Senior Trophy Final when they host league rivals Erith Town in the last four at the Charles Sports Ground this Saturday.

Deal, who drew 0-0 at Stansfeld last weekend, finished fourth in the Southern Counties East Premier Division last season but now have a realistic shot at winning silverware.

“It’s a tick in the box of the project we are doing,” said manager Steve King. "We’re going the right way.

"Last year, we lost at Glebe in extra-time - they were strong last year - and we lost to Sheppey after we were 2-0 up [in the Challenge Cup].

“This year, we’re now one game away from the final, not from silverware, but even getting to a final is a tick in the box.

“But Erith Town keep winning. They’re a strong side and we know how tough Saturday will be.

“I think, with Phoenix Sports, they’re in pole position for second place. But it’s still very tight.

“The football club has not been at a final for 20-odd years. There will be a lot of excitement building up into Saturday’s game.”

The final is due to be played at Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium on April 16.

Sixth-placed Deal are also eyeing a top-two league finish. They edged past basement boys Canterbury City 1-0 through striker Connor Coyne’s early effort last Wednesday.

Although Rusthall in second are 21 points behind leaders Erith & Belvedere, there’s little separating plenty of teams - with some having played many more fixtures than others.

The likes of Phoenix, Erith Town and Deal have a number of games in hand on their competitors.

King noted: “We want to keep pushing for second, as long as we can.

“We’re a little behind the eight ball but we still have Erith Town to play twice and Rusthall to play twice [in the league] so it’s in our hands in a way.”

Deal were without Kane Smith, Alfie Foster, Billy Munday and Macaulay Murray against Stansfeld, although centre-back Smith did return for Tuesday's 2-1 league home win over K Sports.

King reflected: “We were happy with the point and pleased with the clean sheet. We were a little bit disappointed not to get a goal and win it.

“But I think it was a fair result. They’re a tough side.”

On the injuries sustained by those who missed the Stansfeld clash, King said: “None of them are massively long term.

“They will be in contention for Saturday. If we can get two or three ready for Saturday, that will be great.”

Winger Troy Howard started for the Hoops against Stansfeld and K Sports, scoring against the latter. He had been on loan and, after the end of that loan stint, Isthmian Premier Margate released him, allowing him to rejoin Deal.

It’s a short-term agreement - for now.

“At the minute, we just have a short-term agreement with him,” King explained.

“Then, we will sit down and discuss it from there.

“I don’t know exactly what happened, but he’s a local lad and became available. With the players we have out injured, he will be involved for the next couple of games.

“Then, we will see what happens from there.”

Striker Riley Alford gave them an early advantage in midweek and, although the visitors levelled in front of a crowd of 358 after the restart, winger Howard scored the all-important third goal to earn Deal the points.