Folkestone boss Neil Cugley admits staying in the Ryman League Premier Division this season would be a proud achievement.

A 0-0 draw against fellow strugglers Horsham in front of 142 hardy souls at chilly Cheriton Road on Tuesday night didn’t prove much help to their survival ambitions, though, with just three points separating the bottom five clubs.

Cugley, pictured, said "It’s a sad thing to aim for, but we have to be realistic, and if we stay up we should be proud of the fact."

Good news for Cugley is that injury-plagued striker Paul Jones is close to a return after another lay-off with a groin injury.

The Horsham game went head on a snow-free pitch as conditions improved considerably and Cugley said: "The game was never in doubt, and the pitch was perfect after we missed the snow that fell nearby the night before.

"We played really well in the first half, but were poor in the second, and didn’t do enough. In fact, I thought that Horsham looked the more likely to win the game."

Darren Smith missed the match because of suspension, but will return for Saturday’s fixture against Hendon at Wembley’s Vale Farm ground.