Neil Cugley thinks Scott Heard is playing better now than at any other stage in his Folkestone career.

The attacking midfielder played an integral part as Invicta rediscovered their form in the Bostik Premier by taking 10 points from a possible 12 over the holiday period.

A last-gasp 2-2 draw at Needham Market was followed by successive 3-1 home wins over Tonbridge and Burgess Hill before Invicta came from behind to win by the same margin at Margate on New Year’s Day.

Heard scored in all three victories and boss Cugley admits he does not know where the 24-year-old gets his energy from.

He also believes the one-time Whitstable Town player is playing better now than he was when he landed his move from Invicta to Dagenham & Redbridge in October 2016.

Cugley said: “I sold him last time and I think he’s playing better now than when I sold him.

“Against Margate he was a bit quiet for the first 20 minutes but as soon as he went into life, the whole team went into life.

“He’s got three in a row now with his left foot, I don’t know if it’s something he’s been working on, I just think he’s becoming a better player.

“He’s listening a bit more, he’s not getting so moody, he’s just getting on with it. His workrate is unbelievable.

“I’ve been in football 40-odd years and I’ve never seen a bloke as fit as him.”

Heard’s time at Dagenham ended after nine appearances and one goal but Cugley feels the player is young enough and good enough to still harbour thoughts of playing at a higher level.

He added: “Nowadays you don’t have to be that young to do it. I know he’s 24 and in the old days he would have been too old but now they take them at that age or older.

“You only have to look at Alfie May he’s a good example of that (May was 23 when he joined Doncaster Rovers from Hythe Town a year ago).”

Invicta’s excellent form over the festive period has lifted them to third in the table but Cugley remains grounded about their ambitions.

He said: “We’ve got 48 points now so I think that means we’re staying up! It would be nice to get more points than last season as soon as we can, then you know as a club that you are improving and that’s what, as a manager, you get a buzz out of.”

Invicta travel to new leaders Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday – they took over after Billericay’s game at Tonbridge was postponed – before hosting Thurrock at the Fullicks Stadium on Tuesday (7.45pm).