A midweek cup comeback proved the catalyst for Lydd to pick up a first league win in four matches.

The Lydders upset Deal 5-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw last Wednesday to reach the Challenge Cup Third Round.

Craig Calvert and Tyler Sterling struck in the last two minutes, adding to Ryan Smith’s opener, as Town took the tie to spot-kicks.

It was just the confidence boost Mickey Doyle’s side needed and they followed it up with a 2-1 victory at Lewisham Borough in Southern Counties East Division 1 on Saturday.

Jack Price and Kenny Pogue scored as the visitors moved up a couple of places to third, a point behind leaders Larkfield & New Hythe.

“The cup win definitely helped us,” said Doyle.

“We’d been speaking about the dressing room and the togetherness and that never-say-die attitude we had is starting to come back.

“To win on penalties, especially after losing on penalties in the FA Vase, was a morale boost for the team.

“We know we’re capable, we know we’re good enough to compete with these sides.

“I still think there’s a little bit of work to do but we are getting there.

“We just need to keep working hard, keep pushing and keep chalking the games off.

“We’ve got a couple of new players in and there may be a couple more to come, and we’ve still got players to come back from injury.

“It was a good win at Lewisham. It was a scrappy game but we knew it would be, in rubbish conditions.”

Lydd host struggling Croydon at the Lindsey Field this Saturday (3pm).

The visitors, just outside the relegation zone, are looking for a new manager after Tyler Chambers resigned.

Doyle said: “They’re going to be a bit of an unknown with the manager leaving.

“All we can do is concentrate on ourselves and make sure we do things the right way.”