Sam Wilson’s 16th goal of the season secured the three points which lifted the Hoops into fifth place in the Southern Counties East League table.

Wilson struck 10 minutes from time to finally decide a game which Deal controlled for long periods but then almost paid the price for failing to convert that dominance into more goals.

Manager Derek Hares said: “I thought our first half performance was one of our best 45 minutes of the season, we played some good football and created quite a few chances.”

“But when Erith made it 1-1 midway through the second half you start to think that it’s going to be one of those days when you don’t win a game that you should win. But then Sam came up with another goal and that takes us on to 38 points, and we haven’t had that many at this stage of the season for a long time.”

Judged by the first half alone, however, there was no way that Deal should have been reliant on Wilson’s late effort after they continually carved open the Dockers’ defence, especially down their left flank where Jack Paxman, Dan Adams and Ben Chapman had too much pace and invention for the visitors’ backline.

And it was man-of-the-match Chapman who gave the Hoops an early breakthrough, converting an eighth-minute penalty after Liam Hark had been tripped from behind by Dan Palfrey.

Deal then dominated without being able to reap more end product, either through a wayward final ball or because of Erith keeper Adam Molloy whose defiance included one tremendous close-range save from Wilson.

So half-time arrived with Deal only 1-0 in front when a two or three-goal margin would have been a fairer reflection, and the Dockers almost made the most of their reprieve with an improved second half performance.

Experienced frontman Stuart Zanone twice went close before Deal were rocked by a 70th-minute equaliser from Andres Tobon, who swept home a low 25-yard half volley, and Hares’ young side were now facing an unexpected character test.

But they came through it thanks to Wilson finishing off Paxman’s far-post cross, and Hares added: “The boys just kept going, they are gaining in experience with every game, and on our day I think we are a match for any team in this league.”

Deal: Tonkin, Paxman, Hark, K Smith, Hill, Foster (C Miller 59), Scott, Coyne, Wilson, Adams (Reeves 75), Chapman (Sahadow 65).