Despite being without talisman skipper Steve Harper, still on the bench nursing a thigh injury, the visitors created enough chances to have taken the points as Dan Beck was superb with his control and distribution, and young Kane Louis always looked lively.
It was, however, a hesitant start by Hillians although Folkestone posed them few problems until the 22nd minute when a cross by skipper Lee Geldhill created a clear chance.
After that it was all Hillians. Big Danny Gainsford headed straight at keeper Charlie Mitten from a Nick Fogden cross and then Mitten was able to parry a shot by Richard Greenfield after he was superbly found by Lloyd Cotton.
Beck was just unable to make it to the ball after a neat turn by Louis and two minutes later the Brighton youngster turned and fired inches wide after another slick build-up.
Then in the 41st minute Greenfield headed just over at the far post after Beck found Louis superbly and he sent over a first-time cross.
The visitors were grateful to Craig Stoner just before half time, however, when Mitten's long clearance sent James Everitt through and his shot was saved by the keeper's legs.
There was a double let-off for Hillians four minutes after the break before normal service resumed. Stoner denied ex-Dover striker Jimmy Dryden and from the rebound Everitt's shot looked all over a goal until Matt Piper blocked it on the line.
From there the visitors broke upfield and Cotton fired over after being found by Greenfield. Then Ben Johnson hit his shot wide from Piper's cross after another neat build-up.
But the game's only goal came on 56 minutes and against the run of play as Nick Humphrey headed in a free kick.
After that Hillians were chasing the game and Reuben French was just wide from the edge of the box before Beck was crowded out by two defenders.
After that Hillians' challenge gradually began to peter out and they were grateful to keeper Stoner for saving from Dryden at the second attempt.
Harper came on for the last 20 minutes and Gainsford was pushed forward in the closing minutes but this was a day when Hillians were destined not to add to their eight goals in the previous two matches.
Hillians: Stoner; Piper, Fogden, Gainsford, French; Greenfield, cotton, Howell, Johnson; Beck, Louis. Subs: Harper (Johnson, 70), Lansdale (Howell, 83), P Martin (Louis, 84), J Martin & Westlake (not used).
Attendance: 372 (biggest of the day in the division).
Middy Starman: Beck and French were strong candidates but again it goes to Matt Piper who did not put a foot wrong all match.