THAMESMEAD Town took advantage of most Kent League teams' involvement in the FA Vase to climb to third in the table.

Curtis Williams, Sam Thomas and Ryan Royston scored the goals which beat Deal Town 3-1 and made Mead the highest- scoring team in the league so far.

VCD Athletic's preparations for a return to Oakwood took a blow as they went down 2-0 to Hythe Town courtesy of goals from Dale Skelton and Lee Winfield.

Erith and Belvedere are still looking for their second win of the season after they were held 1-1 by Greenwich Borough.

The Deres were ahead through Steve White before the free- scoring Harbingi Grant levelled to send Greenwich to fifth.