Neil Cugley hailed his squad’s powers of recovery as they came from behind to win their New Year’s Day derby at Margate.

Playing their fourth Bostik Premier match in 10 days Invicta trailed to Jordan Chiedozie’s 18th goal of the season before hitting back to secure a third successive 3-1 win with strikes from Scott Heard, Kieron McCann and Micheal Everitt.

Margate’s game at Leiston on Saturday had been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, and Invicta boss Cugley had feared the few extra days’ rest might have given Steve Watt’s side an edge.

He said: “We did well especially after playing on Saturday. I was a bit worried the legs would go a bit, you’re a bit disadvantaged when the other team hasn’t played on the Saturday.

“I thought for the first 20 minutes we were a bit sloppy and looked tired but once we got going, we played well. You go through the team and they all worked really hard.

"That was pleasing, obviously Margate have some quality players but they could not find a way through us because we worked so hard.”

Two of Invicta's goals came from corners which pleased Cugley who also praised the contribution of substitute Ryan Cooper, who came on at half-time for Jordan Wright.

He added: "Our set pieces aren’t the greatest sometimes but today they were good, we’re not the biggest of sides but they were deliveries that people could get on the end of.

"We went back to flat back four for the second half and I think that worked, Ryan Cooper came on at right back and did well.

"Sometimes you change systems or make substitutions and they're not the right ones but the last few games it’s worked well."

Invicta's return of 10 points from four matches over the holiday period has lifted them up to third ahead of Saturday's trip to new leaders Dulwich Hamlet.