Manager Steve King has praised the impact Deal striker Aaron Millbank has made at the club.

Millbank headed to the Charles Sports Ground in August from Herne Bay after he helped them earn promotion to Isthmian Premier last season, scoring a second-half penalty to seal their play-off final triumph at Ashford.

The ex-Gillingham youngster, now 28, struck in Deal’s 3-1 weekend victory at Hollands & Blair and, while he perhaps would have liked more goals this term, King has been delighted with his all-round game.

“Since we have signed Aaron, he has been absolutely outstanding,” said King.

“Everyone will agree we’ve wanted him to score more goals. But his work-rate has been phenomenal.

“He’s only on 13 I think and it wouldn’t surprise me if he gets to 20.

“Aaron Millbank can score 30 goals in a season in SCEFL, absolutely no doubt about it. But he’s part of the reason so many different players score.

“He wants to score more, I want him to score more, but he has been outstanding for us.”

There was a big milestone for another of the Hoops’ frontline as Connor Coyne made his 300th club appearance at Hollands & Blair.

King said: “I’m delighted for Connor.

“He was there the first week we came in, in 2015. To play 300 games for a football club in the modern era is a really good achievement.

"Hopefully, there’s many more to come.”

A record crowd of 660 turned out to watch Hollands & Blair return home on their new 3G pitch at Star Meadow - but the visitors managed to ruin their homecoming.

Alfie Foster and Riley Alford were also on the scoresheet.

“It’s been a good week,” said King, whose side came from two down to draw 2-2 last Wednesday at Rusthall, with Millbank once again among the goals.

“Obviously, it was a tough game at Blair. It was their first game at the ground this season and there was a big crowd.

“Scott Porter sides are always tough to play against. But we got the three points and we were very pleased.

"I think we’re lucky with getting big crowds all season. Every non-league footballer would rather play in front of a crowd of 660, rather than 60.

“We didn’t even discuss it. We just did the job on the day.”

The Hoops host Bearsted this Saturday and then play fellow high-fliers Erith Town on Tuesday at the Charles Sports Ground as they continue to battle for a second-place finish.

King said: “We have put ourselves in the situation where every game is a big game.

“We’re trying to stay in touch with second place. We cannot afford many blips.

"Bearsted are a good side. But we’re at home.

"If we want to stay in the hunt for second, we have to win our home games.”

Midfielder Macauley Murray is the only Deal player definitely sidelined for the match.