Dan Smith’s brace led Folkestone to an Isthmian Premier Kent derby victory at Dover in a match which lived up to the billing on Tuesday evening.

Striker Smith struck early and Tom Derry controversially doubled their lead, only for Whites forward George Nikaj to pull one back.

Dover’s task became much harder as Harrison Pont was sent off and Smith completed his double and, although substitute Jaiden Drakes-Thomas gave Whites late hope during a resilient display, it finished 3-2 in front of a huge crowd of 2,495.

It had taken Folkestone less than 70 seconds to break the deadlock at Crabble. Derry battled for the ball in the Whites’ penalty box and it fell kindly for Smith, who emphatically hammered past goalkeeper Mitch Walker.

Five minutes later, midfielder George Wilkinson attempted to equalise with an effort from his own half after a poor kick by away keeper Jonny Henly. But Henly quickly back-pedalled to deny the 20-year-old.

Dover’s response to going behind had been good and Ruben Soares-Junior became the latest to sting Henly’s palms in the 13th minute after a lay-off from Nikaj.

Away midfielder Dean Rance then became the first player in referee Michael Butcher’s book as he mistimed a meaty late challenge in midfield.

Henly had to be at his best after the half-hour mark. He parried Luke Baptiste’s initial header before he narrowed the angle to also thwart Nikaj.

Seconds later, with the home team piling on the pressure, Nikaj curled a left-footed shot against the upright and Henly got down quickly to tip wide Soares-Junior’s low drive.

But the visitors doubled their lead with 40 minutes played. The assistant referee’s flag was up when Derry converted from a tight angle after good work by defender Jamie Mascoll but, upon a conversation between Mr Butcher and the linesman, the goal was awarded.

That two-goal cushion lasted less than three minutes, though. Nikaj was on hand at the near post to flick home Wilkinson’s corner for what already was his fourth goal of this season to reduce their half-time deficit.

Eniye Amgbaduba was introduced by Dover at the interval for Lindell Stewart in a like-for-like change up front.

Three minutes after the restart, another Nikaj header landed on the roof of the net.

Whites’ task became even tougher just before the hour mark, Mr Butcher brandishing Pont with a straight red card for a late tackle on Evans Kouassi - much to Pont’s amazement.

That led to Dover boss Jake Leberl being forced to sacrifice midfielder Wilkinson for Jeremiah Gyebi, as Luca Cocoracchio pushed slightly further forward.

Derry dragged wide of Walker’s left-hand post on the turn with 18 minutes to play while Smith did likewise.

Three minutes later, away skipper Ian Gayle nodded a corner over the crossbar.

But another corner on 78 minutes did allow Folkestone to restore their two-goal advantage, Smith able to glance in Mascoll’s corner.

Seven minutes later, however, Whites’ Drakes-Thomas emphatically drilled past Henly from the edge of the penalty area to give them hope of a late comeback.

The shot-stopper attempted to collect the ball out of the net - only to be left with his boot trapped inside it as Dover grabbed the ball and returned to the centre circle!

Any who had any hopes of an early finish to the evening were left sorely disappointed as seven minutes of stoppage time meant the action ended long after 10pm.

A desperate attempt to reach a 96th-minute long ball by home defender Roman Charles-Cook saw him collide with Henly to leave the pair, alongside Invicta right-back Gavin Hoyte, all in need of medical attention.

But Folkestone’s experienced troops dug deep and held on for a first league victory this season as chants of “Seasiders” rang around Crabble.

Kick-off had initially been delayed until 8.05pm with scores of fans flocking into the ground for the hotly-anticipated match.

Invicta boss Andy Drury made three changes from the starting line-up, which were held to a 1-1 home draw against Carshalton.

Young ex-Gillingham midfielder Josh Chambers made his full debut, as forward Derry and Marvel Ekpiteta also came in. They replaced Ellis Brown, Matt Young and Peter Ojemen.

Unsurprisingly, home manager Leberl named an unchanged team from the one which hammered Potters Bar 8-0 last weekend.

Dover visit Billericay in the league on Saturday while Folkestone are at Wingate & Finchley.

Dover Athletic: Walker, Charles-Cook, Sesay (T.Amgbaduba 75mins), Tennent, Cocoracchio (Drakes-Thomas 78mins), Baptiste, Nikaj (Silcott-Brown 75mins), Stewart (E.Amgbaduba 46mins), Soares-Junior, Pont, Wilkinson (Gyebi 58mins).

Folkestone Invicta: Henly, Hoyte, Mascoll (Ojemen 88mins), Gayle, Ekpiteta, Rance, Chambers (Brown 57mins), Ebuzoeme (Sessegnon 93mins), Derry, Smith, Kouassi (Morgan 80mins). Sub not used: Young.

Referee: Michael Butcher.

Attendance: 2,495.