Hythe suffered another fruitless trip to Deal’s Charles Ground on Tuesday and lost top spot in the Bulmers Cider Kent League Premier Division in the process.

The hosts have enjoyed recent visits from Hythe and Tuesday night’s Kent League, Premier Division fixture was no different despite Deal having a player sent-off with just 24 minutes gone.

Deal’s Darren Waring was dismissed for a shove on Tom Adlington and that ended what had been an impressive start to the game for the hosts.

Hythe started the game top of the table but in the opening minutes they were pinned back in their half by a relentless Deal side who won themselves three set pieces in the opening five minutes.

With nine minutes gone, keeper Paul Hyde was at full stretch to deny Dave Bathgate but from the resulting corner, the Hythe defence failed to clear and Deal’s Adam Govey prodded home.

Hythe began to creep back into the game and with 24 minutes gone, their hopes were given a boost after the red mist descended on Waring.

With Deal down to 10 men, Hythe began to dominate and create chances.

Mo Takaloo had a shot cleared off the line, Ben Sly missed after a surging run took him past a handful of defenders, and Dave Cook’s drive just skimmed the outside of the post.

Jason Brazier also put a volley just wide before the break and Sly had a cross which almost went in via one of Deal’s own defenders.

Deal got more of a grip on the game in the second half and the chances for Hythe dried up.