Folkestone Invicta manager Andy Drury on their 2-0 Isthmian Premier victory at his old club Margate and two-goal striker Dave Smith’s return

Dave Smith made the most of a first competitive start in more than a month in Folkestone’s Isthmian Premier derby victory at Margate on New Year’s Day.

Striker Smith netted twice inside five first-half minutes - his opening goal a penalty - to help guide Invicta to a first competitive success since Andy Drury was appointed as their manager in November, winning 2-0 at Hartsdown Park.

Smith hadn’t started for Folkestone in the league since November 25, although he did net twice in a friendly triumph against Sittingbourne just before Christmas, and got another brace at Margate.

Drury said: “He has had a problem with his foot and we have nursed him back over the last couple of weeks, with a friendly and we’ve brought him on for 20 minutes here or there.

“We thought today was the right time to give him a start and he has got two goals, so well played.”

Smith broke the deadlock at Margate in front of a 557-strong crowd with a 17th-minute penalty after winger Jordan Ababio - who is back from a loan stint at Faversham - had been fouled. He then nodded in a fantastic right-wing midfielder Scott Heard cross.

“I’m delighted with the boys’ work-rate, and their fight and desire to get the three points,” reflected Drury, who revealed defender Jake Goodman had travelled for the game from hospital after his partner had given birth. “It was comfortable in the end.

Report: Margate 0-2 Folkestone

“We did a number on them in the first half, went 2-0 up and, in the second half, we were pretty comfortable. We could have got a third or fourth on the break.

“I think they had one chance from a corner that we headed off the line. That was it, really.”

Folkestone remain three points ahead of fourth-bottom Cheshunt - and have played a league