Steven King is delighted to have led Whitehawk into their second Sussex Senior Cup final in four years.

But the Hawks boss insists league success takes priority over the club’s big day out at the Amex.

The 2012 winners booked a return to the final by coming from behind to beat runaway Ryman south leaders Burgess Hill at Lancing on Tuesday.

King, a Senior Cup winner with Lewes in 2006, knows how much the competition means to club officials and supporters.

He called it ‘The Fans’ Cup’ during his time with the Rooks, who will provide the final opponents in May.

But the Whitehawk manager has made it clear trying to win promotion from Vanarama Conference south has always been his primary goal for the season.

The Hawks are currently fourth in the table and well placed to reach the play-offs.

King said: “As far as I’m concerned the Senior Cup is put to bed. The final is on May 16. Now we must crack on with our main focus of making the play-offs.

“That has always been the target, anything else is a bonus.

“We have been in or around the play-offs all season and we can affect what happens because we are playing a number of the top sides.

“We have eight league games to go and the play-offs are our focus, 100%.”

Whitehawk are without a game this weekend and do not return to action until next Saturday when they visit second-placed Boreham Wood.

With a small squad which has been stretched by injuries of late, King believes a break from action is not a bad thing.

He said: “It is not a problem for us being without a game. It gives the other teams a chance to play their game in hand and after that we can see exactly where we are.

“There are some tough games for the teams that are playing so things will become a lot clearer after the weekend.”

New signing Marvin Hamilton will miss the next three games, which is a legacy from being sent off in his final game for previous club Eastbourne Borough.

But King believes the full-back will be a good addition to the squad.

He said: “Marvin has signed until the end of the season. As soon as I knew he was available I wanted to sign him.

“I feel he has been one of the most consistent performers for Eastbourne Borough this season.

“He was glad to come to a side that is challenging to get out of the division and he will be an asset to us.”

There were a few worried faces among the Whitehawk contingent when they trailed 1-0 to Burgess Hill on Tuesday evening.

But King was not entirely surprised. He always knew Ian Chapman’s Hillians would be tough opponents and was full of praise for them after the game.

King said: “I felt we did more than enough to win the game but massive credit to them.

“They are a fantastic side and I said to Chappers that they have won the league for me already and I hope they keep producing what they are doing.

“There are a lot of people who talk about themselves and don’t give credit but Chappers has done fantastic with that group.

“I hope they can win that league without losing a game, which has never been done.

“I’ve won that league and lost four games but he is going to lose none in my opinion.”