Manager Andy Drury hopes to leave the days of playing himself firmly behind him after a tough start in charge of Folkestone.

Invicta moved out of the Isthmian Premier relegation zone on New Year’s Day with a much-needed 2-0 derby victory at Margate, as striker Dave Smith netted twice inside five first-half minutes to complete a league double.

It was a first win for Drury since he replaced joint-bosses Roland Edge and Micheal Everitt in November, and came after six consecutive defeats - the latest of which saw Invicta beaten 3-1 at home by Hashtag United last Saturday, despite forward Tom Derry’s goal.

Former Football League midfielder Drury, 40, left himself out of Folkestone’s squad entirely for just the second time in the league as he returned to Hartsdown Park.

“It’s incredibly difficult to play and manage,” Drury admitted.

“You don’t see the full picture.

“I’ve had to do it (play) a few times - but certainly, if I don’t have to do it, I won’t do it.”

Drury has added former Sittingbourne manager Chris Lynch to Invicta’s backroom staff.

Report: Margate 0-2 Folkestone

Smith back with a bang for Invicta

“He’s very knowledgeable about the game,” said Drury. “He’s always on the end of the phone for me.

“He lives 10 or 15 minutes from my house and is a good guy.

“If someone becomes available, we might look at adding to our Folkestone staff. But we’re in a decent place.”

Winger Jordan Ababio has rejoined Folkestone after his loan spell at Faversham ended. The 22-year-old impressed on his return at Margate and won the penalty for the first of seven-goal Smith’s two strikes.

Drury said: “I don’t think there were any questions from any of their players about the penalty.

“Jordan came in and tired a little bit after 60 or 65 minutes because he hasn't played too much but he was fantastic.”

Invicta remain only three points above the relegation zone, with fourth-bottom Cheshunt having a game in hand.

Drury said: “It was a tough 2023 for the club, with certain things happening, and changing managers is never easy.

“It’s a new year, a new start and we need to claw ourselves away from the relegation zone and pick up some wins.

“It (the victory at Margate) will give the boys a bit of confidence and a bit of belief. We can put 2023 behind us a little bit and, hopefully, march on.”

Forward Ira Jackson, who hasn’t played since November, is close to a return from injury.

However, Drury warned: “Ira might be back in the next week or so, but he’s not played for two months so that’s a situation we need to look at.

“We have got enough quality. It’s more a case of can we get one or two in to help.

“We had young Brad Walledge and Toby Byron - who is injured - on the bench at Margate so we need a couple more options.”

Drury was also thrilled to see Invicta keep a first clean sheet since November 11, defender Jake Goodman travelling to start the match after his partner had given birth.

He said: “Jake, Cal (Callum Davies, their captain), Sess (Chris Sessegnon) and Kane Penn, I thought they defended fantastically.

“Jake has just had a baby with his partner and came straight from hospital, so full credit to him for coming and helping the team out.

“They were fantastic.”

Folkestone host promotion-chasing Wingate & Finchley - a much-improved outfit from when Invicta ran out 4-0 victors on the opening day this season - this Saturday.

“They’re doing well,” noted Drury.

“But if the boys put that effort in week-in, week-out, we will win more games than we lose.”