Warlingham’s last lingering hopes of a promotion place were dashed besides the Kent coast on Saturday.

A workmanlike performance from the Deal pack stifled out any Warlingham advances.

Two early penalty attempts from full back James Agate failed but scrum half John Perkins was his usual spritely self and two seering breaks dented the Deal defence but Warlingham were unable to secure quickly recycled ball and the moves petered out.

Concerted efforts followed by the home backline and a well drilled kick just rolled out of play before their chasing winger was able to touch down.

Deal’s first points came from a halfway line penalty from Deal which clearly gave them the confidence to launch more daring attacks and from a criss cross passage of play a gap opened and the right wing scored in the corner.

Despite the blustery wind the conversion was successful.

A third missed penalty from Warlingham again lifted the home spirits and, from a poor kick out of defence, Deal swung back into the Warlingham 22 and their second, converted try ensued.

On the stroke of half time Deal themselves failed with a penalty kick which would have sealed the result.

With a mountain to climb after the break Warlingham tried every which way to breach the Deal defence and captain Tom Street battled hard to make ground.

Injuries to John Perkins, John Delderfield and Dave Stamp did not help the Warlingham cause but even with substitutes Beesley, Chivers and giant prop Darren Walker on the pitch, there was no way through the tight Deal line.

Warlingham were constantly on the back foot and when Deal pressed hard on the Warlingham line Jon Wright was yellow-carded and the resultant successful penalty put the result out of doubt.

Only in the last 10 minutes of the game did Warlingham show their normal determination and a consolation try for winger Jon Osborne ended the scoring. Warlingham now drop to fourth in their league with difficult game against league leaders Tonbridge and second-placed Hove to come.

Head coach Bill Maynard said: “After three good wins on the trot we know we can do much better than today's performance.

"All the lads must learn from this below-par effort - but fair play to Deal they took their chances well and deserved the win.”

Next Saturday Warlingham hope to gain revenge against Purley John Fisher in the semi-final of the Surrey Cup and reverse their last League result against the Parsons Pightle club.

Warlingham: Agate, Osborne, Glover, Stamp, Wimble, Walsh, Perkins, Nunn, Moreland,Delderfield,Wright, Ray, Smith, Street (capt), Wiseman.

Subs (all used) Beesley, Chivers, Walker.