Lydd boss Ryan Smith has described Ronnie Dolan as the best player in the Southern Counties East Premier Division.

Dolan’s return, after a break from football, has boosted the Lydders’ survival chances.

They’re only three points from safety after goals from Ryan Sawyer and Tyler Sterling in a 2-0 win over Larkfield & New Hythe last night, having looked doomed a matter of weeks ago.

Dolan got the bug back for football after watching Lydd’s goalless draw with title-chasing Faversham at the end of last month.

He starred in a 1-0 win over Fisher four days later and continues to show his class.

“The return of Ronnie since the Fisher game has helped massively,” said Smith.

“He played right-back, his first game in three months, and he was unbelievable.

“It’s Ron of the Rovers - that’s how I see it.

“He stood by me when I needed him most.

“He’s probably the best individual player in the league.

“He can play right-back, centre-half, centre-midfield, up front, right-wing.

“He’s very vocal and in terms of football ability, passing range, speed, game awareness, strength, heading, he’s the best all-round player in the league by a mile.”

Smith has also praised Charlie Dickens, who returned against Larkfield after three games out, and Robbie Dolan.

The pair are captain and vice-captain respectively.

“Dicko’s the heart of the team,” said Smith.

“He’s brilliant since he’s been captain.

“He tackles like a trojan, heads it like a warrior, and he brings that positivity to the group.

“Him and Robbie provide the platform and I just feel Ronnie puts us over the top.

“They could have bailed but they stuck it out, and that’s why captain and vice-captain.”

Lydd were edged 2-1 at play-off contenders Punjab on Saturday.

Jerson Dos Santos cancelled out Roman Campbell’s early penalty but Jack Hopkins won it for the hosts.

Smith, however, was buoyed by the performance and is convinced Lydd have the players to survive.

They host Bearsted at the Lindsey Field this Saturday (3pm).

“We should have beaten Punjab, we were by far the better team,” said Smith. “The penalty in the first minute was dubious and the second was a foul on the goalie.

“They didn’t have any other chances at all.

“We can beat anyone.

“Every team we play can’t believe we’re at the bottom. It’s crazy. We can beat anyone on any given day.

“We’ve gone back to 4-4-2 to simplify the game.

“Any formation can work, it’s about how players commit to it and work with it.

“It’s down to how much players buy into it and how much effort they put in.

“With the players we’ve got, I believe we can stay up.

“We always do things the hard way at Lydd - always have, always will. This is the hardest way of the lot.”