Andy Drury is set to remain in charge of Folkestone next season.

The former Football League midfielder took over in November, replacing Micheal Everitt and Roland Edge with the Cheriton Road club battling Isthmian Premier relegation.

Invicta have been a much-improved outfit since the turn of the year.

They are now 15 points clear of the relegation zone with only five matches to play, despite an Easter Monday 2-1 defeat at Hastings, having won four of their past six games.

In a club statement on Friday, 40-year-old Drury said: “I’m delighted and honoured to continue managing the club and I’m really grateful to Josh (Healey, chairman) and the rest of the board for giving me the chance to carry on the work that we’ve been doing.”

Chairman Josh Healey said: “We’re convinced that ‘Dukes’ is going to achieve great things at the club next season.

“I’ve personally been pleased with the honesty, transparency and commitment he has shown from the minute he stepped up last year and I’m looking forward to working closely with him again in our joint efforts to build success next season.

“As ever, I’d like to give a huge thanks to our fans for their continued support, as we await an exciting season ahead.”

With player retention and recruitment already under way, former Margate and Whitstable manager Drury is already eyeing a play-off place in the 2024/25 campaign.

He said: “We need people who are going to come in and fight for me, fight for the club and fight for the fans, giving everything they’ve got for the club.

“Next season is going to be a lot better. I want to start on the front foot and be competing at the top of the table.

“The play-offs will be the goal from the minute we come back after pre-season.”

Sittingbourne-born Drury, who initially joined Folkestone as player-coach from Chatham last summer, counts Stevenage, Luton, Ipswich and Crawley among his old clubs from his playing career.

He has been assisted by former Sittingbourne boss Chris Lynch this term - but Invicta say further announcements regarding their 2024/25 management team and squad will be communicated in due course.