Goals from Andy Pugh and George Sykes fired Dartford to victory at Folkestone on Saturday.

Pugh opened the scoring nine minutes before half-time, netting for the second time in as many games, before new signing Sykes doubled the Darts lead early in the second half.

There was little between the sides overall but occasional flashes of quality from the Vanarama National League South visitors showed why they play two divisions higher than Invicta.

Carl Rook started his first game for Folkestone, the striker lining up against his old club following a summer switch to the Fullicks Stadium. Fellow new boys Phil Starkey and Josh Stanford were also in Neil Cugley's XI, as was trialist Lee Gledhill - who was forced off by a back injury inside half an hour.

Four of Tony Burman's summer signings started for Dartford but there was no place in the squad for left-back Danny Fitzsimons, who is nursing a jarred knee.

Elliot Bradbrook deputised for Fitzsimons, allowing former Dover midfielder Barry Cogan - currently a free agent - to partner Lee Noble in the centre of the field.

Ian Draycott fired an early effort wide for Folkestone, who might then have taken the lead when Stanford picked the pocket of Darts right-back Ronnie Vint on the byline. Stanford had time to get his head up and pick a pass but his ball across goal was easily cleared.

Dartford gradually began to see more of the ball and they went close to scoring three times in as many minutes.

Pugh bent a shot narrowly wide from distance and Cogan forced a good near-post save from Tim Roberts following neat interplay by the men in blue shirts. Danny Harris then crossed left-footed for Tom Gardiner, who headed wastefully over from inside the six-yard box.

At the other end, it needed a good block from winger Jack Simmons to prevent Ronnie Dolan converting a dangerous Stanford cross.

Dartford goalkeeper Deren Ibrahim set up their next attack. He caught the ball and quickly booted it upfield, sending Harris haring down the right flank. Harris crossed low and Matt Newman did well to take the ball off Pugh's toe as he looked set to strike.

Draycott sent a tame shot straight at Ibrahim when he should have done better and Pugh then blazed a shot high over the bar - but he wasn't to be denied much longer.

Pugh seized his next opportunity, coolly rounding Roberts and rolling the ball home after it had run kindly for him on the edge of the box.

There was still time for a chance at either end before the interval.

Callum McNaughton did well to cut out Stanford's next cross and Noble lashed a shot just wide for Dartford.

Substitutions dominated the second half but on 50 minutes came Dartford's second goal. Ryan Hayes, on from the bench, sent over a cross from the right and when Simmons returned the ball into the danger zone, Sykes despatched it clinically beyond Roberts for his second goal in Darts colours.

Simmons saw a shot blocked by Folkestone sub Nat Blanks and the winger then teed up Cogan for a wayward strike after finding himself in space 20 yards out.

The visitors almost made it 3-0 on the counter-attack, Hayes seeing his flashing drive tipped over by Roberts after Dartford had broken four-on-four.

Neat skill from Noble created a late shooting opportunity but Roberts saved at his near post.

Folkestone: Roberts, Gledhill (Blanks 28mins), Chappell, Friend, Wraight, Starkey, Dolan (Phillip 80mins), Newman, Stanford (Pilbeam 46mins), Rook (Wright 64mins), Draycott (Miller 46mins). Subs not used: Palmer, Tamang, Fender.

Dartford: Ibrahim, Vint (Adams 59mins), Gardiner (Phillips 72mins), McNaughton (Knight 72mins), E Bradbrook (Dembele 55mins), Harris (Hayes 46mins), Cogan (Yucetan 72mins), Noble, Simmons, Sykes, Pugh (T Bradbrook 72mins). Sub not used: Woodward.