Player-boss Marks said: "It's the first time we have played together and we played very well. It was a great game which could have gone either way.
"You want to start with a win so I’m not happy with the loss. But I was certainly happy with the performance. It’s about us gelling and finding the right balance in the team. That will come in time. But we are only going to improve and that’s a good sign."
Marks backed Franks to continue his impressive record in front of goal at his new club. The striker has followed old HPR team-mates Jordan Warents and Mark Broude to Prestfield.
He added: "Jonny will score goals. His record over the years is second to none and we are lucky to have him on board. A lot of clubs wanted him. He will prove a good signing.
"It was a great free-kick, but he scores all sort of goals and you can’t buy that."