You could be forgiven for likening George Wakeling to Crawley boss Billy Smith.

The newly-installed Hastings supremo prides himself as a players' manager.

He is honest, well-respected, experienced, has a well-thumbed contacts book and produced miracles with small budgets.

Like Smith he is South London born and bred and even looks and speaks like his Reds counterpart.

In fact, Wakeling and Smith are best of friends and share the same footballing philosophies.

After watching his new side cause an FA Cup upset at the Pilot Field last night, he said: "I'm a straight guy and that's what I expect from other people.

"It's never been my remit to demand. I simply expect certain standards. I'm quite prepared to give a lot, but will expect a response. That response is a committed, happy bunch of players who want to do well for the club and supporters."

Against Folkestone, his first match in charge, he could have had few complaints on that front.

A first half Terry White spot-kick and Danny Simmonds header with 15 minutes left dumped Dr Martens Premier Division Folkestone out in the second qualifying round.

Wakeling was probably the happiest man when referee Jonathan Bottomer blew for time.

Now he can take a trip down memory lane when Horsham visit for the third round qualifying tie a week on Saturday.

The Hastings boss spent six seasons at Queens Street and was in the successful Horsham side that lost 3-0 against Swindon in the FA Cup in 1968.

The 56-year-old former Bromley, Ashford and Leyton Wingate manager said: "Football really is a funny game. It couldn't have been scripted any better.

"There were about 5,000 packed in at Horsham that day and was certainly one of my proudest football moments.

"I had some very happy times there. In fact, I remember playing in a Horsham side that lost to Southwick at the Goldstone ground in a County Cup final."

That was over a quarter of a century ago. Those are days that can only be fondly remembered now and recorded in fading scrap books.

"I've been in the game a long time," said Wakeling.

"There's a lot of knowledge and experience I can offer. In management, I've been around and made lots of friends.

"People like Billy, I've helped out and know he'd help me if I asked him.

"My first aim here is not to go asking for help. I'll be looking at all the lads and giving them their fair chance.

"Dean White wont mind me saying this. Although he's handed me a strong squad, it's one that's lost two and drawn two of their opening nine matches. I ask myself why? It's a squad of players that should have done a lot better.

"Sometimes good sides can have a bit of bad luck and there's not much a manager can do about it. But If I find there are areas we can't improve with what's in the squad, then I'll be using my contacts book to get new players in."

Battle lines have already been drawn out. Wakeling expects to mount a promotion challenge.

He said: "It's early in the season, so I'd be daft not to expect anything else.

"Hastings are a progressive club. I've warmed to them. They've had hard times and perhaps now it's time to start achieving and continue Dean's fine work."

Former Albion midfielder Duncan McArthur, who has had a recent trial at Aston Villa, was sent tumbling by Tommy Osborne 10 minutes before the break.

White coolly slammed the penalty past David Wietecha.

Then in a one-sided second half, which saw Paul Jones, McArthur and Stuart Myall, go close, a showdown with Horsham was secured.

White crossed to the far post from the right and Simmonds stooped low to find the net.

Hastings Town: Kessell, Smith, Osborne, Playford, Myall, Burt, T. White, McArthur (sub, Honey 83), Jones, Simmonds, Ferguson. Subs not used: Eldridge, Hobbs, Rhodes, Roberts.

Folkestone: Invicta, Wietecha, Hayes, D. White (sub, Neloby 80), Larkin, Daniel, S. White, Manuel, Chambers, Dryden, Ayling, Ross. Subs not used: Neal, Winfield, Morris, Readings.

Referee: J. Bottomer (Chistlehurst).

Attendance: 485.

Men-of-the-Match:

Terry White for Hastings.

Paul Chambers for Folkestone.