Margate boss Mark Stimson praises the club’s supporters after 2-0 home Isthmian Premier derby defeat to Folkestone Invicta

Manager Mark Stimson praised Margate’s fans for their support during the derby defeat at home to Folkestone on New Year’s Day.

Striker Dave Smith - who had a brief and unsuccessful loan spell at Hartsdown Park from December 2022 until last January - got both goals in the first half as Invicta completed an Isthmian Premier double over Gate this season in the Thanet team’s 2-0 loss.

It means Margate, who are only one place and two points clear of the relegation zone, remain winless under Stimson and haven’t tasted victory since November 4.

Reflecting on the defeat, Stimson, who played Archie Johnson in left midfield and Tyrone Sterling at left-back, said: “It’s straight after the match - and, sometimes, my thoughts are a bit blurred. We started the game okay but not how we would have liked to.

“We tried to set up with a winger (Johnson) to really try and get at the Folkestone full-back but that didn’t really materialise.

“I don’t know if he didn’t get enough quality balls or didn’t go outside enough? It’s probably a bit of both.

“Losing 2-0 on January 1 at home, that’s definitely not what we wanted.

Report: Margate 0-2 Folkestone

“I can only praise the Margate fans. They were still singing the Margate songs at the end, getting right behind the team, and I’ve said to the boys in there that they have got to appreciate that.

“When you’re losing 2-0 at home against your rivals, sometimes, there’s not too many people still standing around.

“But full credit to those supporters. They were brilliant.”

Folkestone’s first goal came from a 17th-minute penalty in front of a crowd of 557 at Hartsdown Park after referee Kane Dempster ruled stand-in skipper Harry Hudson to have fouled winger Jordan Ababio.

While Stimson admitted he