Neil Cugley says his Folkestone Invicta side can make strides towards consolidation in the Ryman League, Premier Division this week.

After a 2-2 draw at promotion-chasing Tonbridge on Monday, the Invicta boss claims he is ‘quite pleased with where we are’ after half of their 46 games.

They have 31 points leaving them 13th, seven points ahead of the drop-zone and seven short of the play-offs, with games in hand on many sides around them.

Rock-bottom Grays Athletic visit on Saturday (1pm) with struggling Burgess Hill heading to the Fullicks on Monday (3pm).

Cugley said: “These are two big games for us and hopefully the fans will come out and get behind the players.

“These sides look like they will be down there in that bottom area come the end of the season and if we don’t want to be down there too, we have got to beat the sides around and below us.

“We have emphasised to the players that if we could pick up points in quick succession during a hectic week like this, then it could go a long way to keeping us in this division.

“We told them the next month or so they can shape where we’re going this season.”

Cugley claimed the 2-2 rollercoaster at Longmead had been a Boxing Day classic. He said: “It was a good and exciting game. It’s never an easy place to go."

Joe Taylor netted for the 17th time and Cugley added: “He’s done well for us. He’s got settled and he’s showing he’s a good Ryman Premier striker.

“We’re without Ian Draycott until probably the middle of January which is still a big miss but if you think we’re without him, Sam Hasler (suspended), Phil Starkey (shoulder) and missed Nat Blanks for three or four months – four of the first names on the team sheet – it’s credit to the players that we are where we are.”

The Grays game will see Invicta offer fans an admission fee of ‘pay what you want.’

Cugley said: “Our fans are a big part of our club and it’s a thank you to them.

“Some halves I’d pay quite a lot to watch us, some halves less so but we always try and play the right way. Hopefully, we’ll get a lot of people out to get behind us.”