Boss Andy Drury felt Folkestone’s performance at Hastings showed how far the club have come in the past four months - despite a 2-1 Isthmian Premier defeat on Easter Monday.

A first-half goal by in-form striker David Smith proved in vain for Invicta in front of a 1,719 crowd at The Pilot Field.

Folkestone recovered relatively well from falling a goal down in the first minute and 2-0 behind after 37 minutes.

Drury compared his current crop to the side thumped 5-0 at home to play-off chasing Hastings on Boxing Day and said: “We were much the better team in the second half on Monday.

“They play it around at the back and stuff, but we were managing to put them under pressure.

“I think it shows how far we have come. We lost 5-0 on Boxing Day against them and, on Monday, we should have got a result.

“We were really good against Lewes (on Friday) and really good against Hastings for 50 minutes.

“We just got punished for two individual errors.”

Smith now has seven goals from Folkestone’s past 10 matches, although he wasn’t on target in their Easter Friday 3-1 win at home to Lewes. Two-goal Tom Derry and midfielder Seidou Sanogo did the damage at Cheriton Road.

On former Bromley, Ashford and Sittingbourne forward Smith, Drury added: “He’s on a good run, goal-scoring-wise, which has been important for us.

“He could have had a few more as well over the last few games but he’s getting there. It’s always pleasing when your striker is scoring.”

Folkestone will host a Horsham team who are challenging for a play-off position on Saturday.

“Nerves can start to creep in,” said Drury. “People start doing silly things.

“For us, the players have their futures to play for. They should want to be at Folkestone Invicta next year and they’re playing to still be here.

“There’s not been a drop-off in performances since we knew we were safe. They have got another five games to make sure they’re here next year.

“It’s pretty much up to them, really. We still have got a lot to play for, in my opinion.

“I don’t want to finish 17th, I want to finish 12th or 13th - or as high as we possibly can.”

Sidelined midfielder Tom Kavanagh has returned to parent club Horsham after his loan while injured defender Chris Sessengnon remains a week or two away from a return to action.

Striker Derry, who missed the Hastings game through a minor injury, is set to return while winger Jordan Ababio is back after a loan spell at Isthmian South East side Ashford.