Dover Athletic 2 Folkestone Invicta 3 match report: Invicta win much-awaited Isthmian Premier Kent derby at Crabble as two-goal Dan Smith leads the way; Harrison Pont sent off in second half for Dover

Dan Smith’s brace led Folkestone to an Isthmian Premier Kent derby victory at Dover in a match which lived up to the billing on Tuesday evening.

Striker Smith struck early and Tom Derry controversially doubled their lead, only for Whites forward George Nikaj to pull one back.

Dover’s task became much harder as Harrison Pont was sent off and Smith completed his double and, although substitute Jaiden Drakes-Thomas gave Whites late hope during a resilient display, it finished 3-2 in front of a huge crowd of 2,495.

It had taken Folkestone less than 70 seconds to break the deadlock at Crabble. Derry battled for the ball in the Whites’ penalty box and it fell kindly for Smith, who emphatically hammered past goalkeeper Mitch Walker.

Five minutes later, midfielder George Wilkinson attempted to equalise with an effort from his own half after a poor kick by away keeper Jonny Henly. But Henly quickly back-pedalled to deny the 20-year-old.

Dover’s response to going behind had been good and Ruben Soares-Junior became the latest to sting Henly’s palms in the 13th minute after a lay-off from Nikaj.

Away midfielder Dean Rance then became the first player in referee Michael Butcher’s book as he mistimed a meaty late challenge in midfield.

Henly had to be at his best after the half-hour mark. He parried Luke Baptiste’s initial header before he narrowed the angle to also thwart Nikaj.

Seconds later, with the home team piling on the pressure, Nikaj curled a left-footed shot against the upright and Henly got down quickly to tip wide Soares-Junior’s low drive.

But the visitors doubled their lead with 40 minutes played. The assistant referee’s flag was up when Derry converted from a tight angle after good work by defender Jamie Mascoll but,