Two second-half strikes saw Folkestone beat Margate in their Isthmian Premier Bank Holiday Monday derby.

An own goal put Invicta ahead before frontman Ira Jackson came off the bench to round off a 2-0 triumph.

David Smith turned past away defender Tyrone Sterling in the seventh minute, although referee Peter Dingle dismissed home penalty protests as the big frontman went down at the start of a lively affair at Cheriton Road in front of a bumper crowd of 1,112.

Folkestone keeper Joe Coleman then got away with an error in the 10th minute during an otherwise good afternoon. He attempted to bowl the ball out and threw straight into recently-signed Antonis Vasiliou’s path but he fired wide of Coleman’s right-hand post.

The home side certainly created the better chances, though, and Gate goalkeeper Harry Seaden tipped over winger Jordan Ababio’s drive. Impressive returnee Scott Heard was then thwarted in similar style on 16 minutes.

The chances continued to flow as Margate’s Steve Cawley curled an 18th-minute shot against the crossbar.

Heard blasted well over on the half-hour mark after he had driven forward purposefully from midfield and Smith glanced over a lofted cross by Andy Drury, soon after.

Visiting goalkeeper Seaden prevented Smith having a simple tap-in with 38 minutes played after Ababio had got on the end of a Heard through-ball and let fly. The same combination worked together again as, this time, Ibrahim Olutade couldn’t get an all-important touch at the far post.

Coleman used his feet to deny Cypriot Vasiliou at the other end in the 42nd minute.

But the visitors could have been reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half-time when defender Harry Hudson, already on a caution, brought down Olutade. Mr Dingle opted against giving the foul, though.

There was a tighter start to the second half, Margate player-assistant Ben Greenhalgh curling down Coleman’s throat on 52 minutes.

A minute later, Invicta drew first blood when Callum Davies headed 39-year-old Drury’s corner towards goal. It wasn’t clear if his attempt was on target before a deflection off an away player - thought to be Hudson - wrong-footed Seaden.

Ade Cole blasted over a Jackson corner for Folkestone, managed by Roland Edge and Micheal Everitt, on the hour mark as they searched for a second.

Midway through the half, Cawley burst through after defender Harrison Hatfull’s through-ball, only to miss the target.

That looked even more costly seconds later when the hosts doubled their advantage. Heard sent a ball to the back post and Jackson was on hand to fire beyond Seaden for his second of the season.

Folkestone were now looking to turn on the style and only a goal-line clearance by left-back Archie Johnson denied substitute Andre Coker a fantastic third after a mazy run.

Cawley got the right side of the home defence with 14 minutes left, although Coleman again made a superb save. Four minutes later, the same story repeated itself from Greenhalgh’s free-kick which the experienced Cawley had connected with.

Both teams continued to threaten when they went forward and some more home penalty appeals were rejected, as a stoppage-time Seaden save denied Jackson a second while Heard shot over.

Jackson even hit the post with the final action from a Coker pass but it mattered little in the end.

Margate manager Reece Prestedge had made two changes from the side which were beaten 2-1 at home to Cheshunt on Friday, one enforced after midfielder Montel Agyemang suffered a broken tibia.

He was replaced by Vasiliou, making his first Gate start, while Daniel Duncanson came in for Fyn Rutherford who dropped to the bench.

Invicta immediately threw midfielder Heard in from the start for his first competitive action this campaign after he finished a four-game ban, coming in for Coker. Their other change from Saturday’s goalless draw at Hashtag United saw Will Moses replace Ian Gayle.

In a clash that saw a number of players face their former club, ex-Margate manager Drury, now the home side’s player-coach, also started in the Folkestone midfield.

The result saw Invicta secure their second league success this term and move into 11th, ahead of Gate in the table.

Folkestone Invicta: Coleman, Barton, Penn, Drury (Moore 77mins), Davies, Moses, Heard, Cole, Smith (Coker 65mins), Olutade, Ababio (Jackson 53mins). Subs not used: Dent, Dempsey.

Margate: Seaden, Hatfull, Johnson, Sterling, Hudson, Vasiliou (Rutherford 74mins), Blackman, Cawley (Smith 90mins), Roberts, Greenhalgh, Duncanson (Cham 85mins). Subs not used: Salmon, Mazzone.

Referee: Peter Dingle.

Attendance: 1,112.