Two Connor Coyne goals enabled Deal to complete the “double” over Premier Division newcomers Rusthall on Wednesday night.

After a spell mostly on the subs’ bench in recent weeks the striker returned to the Hoops’ starting line-up for their first-ever visit to Jockey Farm and made his presence felt with a goal in each half against the Tunbridge Wells-based “Rustics”.

The first came right on half-time when he sneaked in between home ‘keeper Steve Lawrence and a defender to score, and Coyne then confirmed Deal’s seventh away league win of the season five minutes from time with a fierce drive from the edge of the box.

The Hoops should have won in more comfortable fashion but missed a succession of chances against a Rusthall side who have found life tough going in their first season in the top flight.

But the home team nearly took the lead with a 42^nd-minute effort which grazed the Deal woodwork before Coyne provided the Hoops with their half-time cushion, and his second goal then ensured that they collected the three points which moved Derek Hares’ side back up to eighth place in the table.

Deal: Tonkin, Hark, D Smith (Alexander 55), Bigginton, K Smith, Foster, Paxman, Butcher, Coyne, Wilson, Reeves.