Roland Edge is prepared to be patient as he tries to help get Folkestone’s season going.

Invicta’s inconsistent campaign goes on.

They lost 3-0 on Saturday at Canvey Island in Isthmian Premier when Bradley Sach’s hat-trick proved the difference after back-to-back wins, which included a 4-1 home success last Wednesday over Bowers & Pitsea.

But Edge, whose team on Tuesday were unlucky to lose 2-1 away to leaders Hornchurch, reflected: “To be honest, I thought it was quite an even contest.

“Sometimes, 3-0 can flatter and deceive. I didn’t think we were as good as we have been but the thing is that we have tried to implement our own game and we got caught out.

“Things don’t improve overnight, you have to expect it. Things do take time to blend.”

Folkestone weren’t helped by two defensive players - left-back Nathan Green and utility player Ronnie Dolan - serving suspensions at Canvey, either.

“When you are trying to get something going but you are working with a back four and the left-back gets suspended - without a natural replacement in the squad at left-back as well - it’s tough,” said Edge.

“We relied on Matt Newman at left-back. I give him credit for going there but, obviously, it’s not the same, is it?

“Robbie was suspended, too. That’s the harsh part of it.

“We have got Robbie who can do a job there but he got suspended for a straight red [in the Velocity Cup at Margate] as well.”

On the injury front, meanwhile, recently-signed forward Shola Ayoola broke his nose in the win over Bowers - earned through goals by Ade Yusuff, Scott Heard, Ian Gayle and Ibrahim Olutade - although he did get through the first half against Canvey.

“Shola might be struggling. Bless him, he broke his nose in the second game," said Edge, who is in charge alongside Micheal Everitt.

“First two games, he did well. Then, in the Bowers game, he broke it.”

Invicta have particularly struggled on the road in the league, taking only seven points from 10 games.

Edge admitted: “This is the thing that’s disappointing at the moment. We have to try and improve our away form - the players know that.

“It was just one of those games [at Canvey] that didn’t quite go right for us. It would be lovely if you could guarantee eight out of 10 performances every game but, unfortunately, it’s not like that.

“I just think we’re in the teething stages.

"That could have happened at home. It’s just about making sure we play the way we want consistently.”

At Hornchurch, striker Yusuff's 100th club goal - from the penalty spot - in the first period put them ahead. But Hornchurch equalised before the break and won it with the third goal of the game five minutes from time.

But Edge knows things can change quickly in the league despite 16th-placed Invicta being as close to the relegation zone as they are to the play-off places.

He said: “Credit to Andy Drury at Margate, they won two games on the spin. They are now mid-table and, with a couple more wins, could go in and around the play-off places.

“For us, it’s just about getting that consistency going. Hopefully, we can get a nice little run going.”

And while Edge didn’t rule out adding to Folkestone’s ranks, he remains focused on getting the best out of their current crop ahead of their home match against Bognor this Saturday, now a 1pm kick-off.

He said: “You are always looking, aren’t you? You would be a fool not to.

“Ade is scoring the goals but we could do with someone adding some to take the burden off him a little bit.

“At the minute, we are trying to get the best out of what we have got.”

Green and Dolan will both have completed their respective bans by the time they host Bognor.