Manager Derek Hares has promised not to take Saturday’s Bulmers Cider Kent League Premier Division Cup return against Lordswood lightly, despite Deal’s 2-1 win in the first leg.

Town overwhelmed their hosts in the first round first leg at Martyn Grove on Saturday but despite creating a lot of chances, they had to settle for two goals and conceded late on to give Lordswood hope.

Goals from Mo Takaloo (pictured) and Danny Smith earned the win – although Scott Holden could have secured the match ball on another day.

Hares said: "Mo missed a couple of chances and Scott missed a couple and hit the post a couple of times.

"We should have had a penalty and could easily have been five or six ahead at half-time but we’ll take the win.

"We were disappointed it was only 1-0 at half-time but the second half was more even, even though they didn’t cause us real problems."

He added: "We were comfortable but then we conceded against the run of play. It is never the easiest place to go and play, the pitch was difficult but we were happy to get an away win."

Hares revealed he will not rest any players ahead of the second leg at the Oatmor Harris Stadium on Saturday.

Keeper Paul Rogers begins his suspension on Saturday, while Gary Beedon serves the final game of his three-match ban.