Manager Neil Cugley is backing his forwards to rediscover their spark as Folkestone look to consolidate their impressive start to the season.

Invicta rattled in 18 goals in their opening seven league and cup games, but have managed just two in the last four outings.

Both have come from full-back Josh Vincent, including the equaliser in Saturday’s 1-1 Isthmian Premier draw at Wingate and Finchley, and Cugley is hoping his strikers can get back on the goal trail soon.

Ira Jackson is the club’s leading scorer with seven followed by Jerson Dos Santos (4) and Johan ter Horst (3).

Cugley said: “Saturday was a better performance (than in the previous week’s 4-0 FA Cup defeat at Kings Langley).

“We defended very well and played a lot more football. We were just a bit disappointing in the final third.

“The forwards have gone a bit quiet on us at the moment.

“It’s just that we set such a good standard – two or three weeks ago it was so exciting.

“We’re still creating chances but things aren’t quite working out for us in the final third.

“Players are not quite getting the ball down or it’s bouncing off them, that sort of thing, but we’re quite loyal to our players and I’m sure they will come good again soon.

“There’s a lot of quality there.”

Cugley was pleased with the way his team responded after their FA Cup exit, and was delighted to see Vincent continue his habit of popping up with vital goals

The full-back had scored the winner in last month’s 1-0 home victory over Bishop’s Stortford.

• Flisher joins Cannons
• Coyle makes playing return

Cugley added: “It was a great ball in by Sam Hasler from the free-kick and JV did what he did the other week.

“If you look at his goalscoring record it’s quite good for a full-back and

often his goals are important ones.”

The point earned against Wingate kept Invicta top of the table, although they were displaced by Hornchurch and slipped to fourth after losing 1-0 away to the Urchins on Tuesday.

Lewwis Spence scored the decisive goal in the 62nd minute.

Invicta return to the BuildKent Stadium on Saturday when they entertain mid-table Brightlingsea Regent (3pm) and could again be without midfielder Scott Heard, who came off with a back injury at Wingate.

Read more: All the latest sports news in Kent