Folkestone Invicta striker Joe Pigott hopes good times roll at Cheriton Road after scoring club’s first competitive goals on new 3G pitch in 2-2 draw in front of 1,379 attendance

Joe Pigott loved scoring Folkestone’s first goals on their new 3G pitch in front of the home fans - and hopes it’s a sign of things to come.

Pigott appeared to have sent 10-man Invicta towards an unlikely Isthmian Premier win in last weekend’s match against Dulwich Hamlet through two late goals after defender Liam Smith had been dismissed for a second bookable offence.

While Mark Dacey’s men grabbed a last-gasp leveller, as the game finished in a 2-2 draw, plenty of young Folkestone fans embraced the occasion, taking selfies with Folkestone's players after the full-time whistle.

“It means a lot,” said the striker on the prospect of inspiring the next generation of supporters. “Obviously, we want all the fans here, enjoying it and watching us play good football.

“Hopefully, there’s plenty of that to come.”

Jay Saunders’ side themselves had only managed one single training session on the artificial surface following completion of the estimated £1m project ahead of the Dulwich game.

Pigott said: “It’s good.

Report: Folkestone 2-2 Dulwich Hamlet

Saunders: ‘That’s probably the worst we’ve been’

“It’s quite a small pitch but it’s good to finally play here rather than being dotted around other places. We’ve been to Chatham and Margate and done the rest of it, as well.

“So, we’re happy we’re finally here.”

Pigott sent the majority of the 1,379-strong crowd into raptures, scoring in the 80th minute, before he calmly dinked Dulwich keeper Toby Bull to complete the turnaround.

“It was a great feeling, scoring at that top-end and having all of those fans behind that goal,” said the 31-year-old.

“It was such a shame we just couldn’t get the three points but, in the grand scheme of things, that’s probably the result both teams