Neil Cugley hopes the capture of Finn O'Mara will give everyone at "rock-bottom" Folkestone Invicta a lift.

O'Mara signed an 18-month contract at the Fullicks Stadium last week after agreeing a permanent transfer from Gillingham.

The defender, 19, impressed on loan last season and boss Cugley is thrilled to have him back.

He said: "It's an absolutely great signing for us because of his age. I'm really pleased to get him on board.

"He's big and strong and that's one area we needed to improve on.

"We're not a very big side and people have started to exploit us from corners and free-kicks in games recently.

"The deal took quite a long time and one of the directors helped me pay a small fee for him. Another of the directors is paying his wages so we've got round that one.

"They knew I needed a centre-half and that's where his best position is."

Folkestone had lost four games in a row before winning 4-2 at previously unbeaten Bognor Regis on Tuesday night.

They were beaten 1-0 at home to Dorking Wanderers on Saturday with O'Mara back in the side.

Cugley said: "The man-of-the-match was their goalie but that's how it goes sometimes. We played well.

"We've hit rock-bottom but I'm quite happy.

"Confidence definitely did take a hit but I didn't find that on Saturday.

"Finn coming back gives everybody a bit of a lift. Everybody's a bit down but off you go again.

"He's still young, on an 18-month contract and I think it's a really good signing for Folkestone.

"We've had a lot of niggly injuries and illnesses this season.

"A lot of things seem to be not going our way. Maybe they went our way last year.

"I don't think I've put the same side out twice but hopefully now we can settle down a bit.

"It's only a couple of weeks before Nat Blanks is back and I'm trying to sort out another signing that will happen in a couple of weeks.

"I'm not saying we can compete with the big boys of this league but I think we'll be OK."

Jack Evans has been released after making just 11 appearances for the club.

Cugley said: "I'm disappointed but it's financial as well.

"There's an area of the club we thought we were getting some finance from and it's not happening so we've had to look at it.

"Jack was one to go and there will be another one going shortly. That evens the money up."

Folkestone, who visit Lewes on Saturday, have been drawn at home to Leatherhead in the FA Trophy first qualifying round.