Twice in front, Folkestone were within a few minutes of becoming the only side to complete the double over new champions Billericay as the ‘regular’ season ended in front of home side’s biggest league attendance on their way to the Bostik Premier Division title.

Ex-Premiership midfielder Jamie O’Hara’s stunning stoppage time strike denied Invicta that distinction – but they can claim to be the only club not to have lost to Glenn Tamplin’s big, strong, and expensively assembled squad on their way up to National League South next August.

Now, with Hendon, Invicta’s rivals for a third place finish behind Billericay and Dulwich Hamlet, having won thanks to two goals in as many minutes at Leiston going above them on goal difference, Neil Cugley’s side and their terrific supporters face at trip around the North Circular for a play-off semi-final to take on the The Greens at the splendidly named Donkey Lane on Thursday night.

There was disappointment for some in that isn’t Hendon coming down to the coast in four days time, but just remember how far Invicta have come since this time 12 months ago when they had been involved in a relegation dogfight and, at times, looked destined for a return to Division One South after just one season.

Football-wise, Folkestone took up where they had left off in Tuesday’s Kent Senior Cup Final against Maidstone.

Once again they were the better side in terms of creativity, pace and attacking play against opposition who attempted to grind them down with their great strength in both physical advantage a squad depth, numerically.

The Blues’ biggest league crowd of the season came understandably in the mood to celebrate. Pride and professionalism were perhaps their team’s only motivations even if one or two players were on the lookout for a new contract. And, guessing on Mr Tamplin’s reputation, a bigger, fatter wage packet after the summer.

But Invicta do nothing better than taking the game to their opponents from the start and they took the lead on six minutes with a terrific strike by Joe Taylor from an unselfish short ball across the box by strike partner Ade Yusuff.

As at Maidstone, Taylor and Yusuff were both outstanding against an experienced home defence.

Folkestone might have gone further ahead, but had to expect some comeback and the Blues forced a string of corners which Callum Davies and co defended bravely while keeper Tim Roberts was again almost faultless behind them.

But ‘Ricay got back on terms five minutes before the break when, from yet another corner, Joe Kizzi played the ball back from beyond the far post for the well travelled Ricky Modeste to force the ball over the line.

Modeste and O’Hara both often threatened, but were well contained for the most part by Micheal Everitt and co in midfield and others behind them.

Billericay tried to hit back strongly after the break with ex-Spurs and Portsmouth player O’Hara pulling most of the strings from the middle of the park.

News that Hendon had gone two goals ahead in as many minutes at Leiston saw the introduction of double Golden Boot winner Ian Draycott for the final 25 minutes and things began to happen.

Keeper Gary Julian’s goal came under pressure and experienced 35-year-old shot stopper had to be alert to prevent Yusuff forcing the ball in and Taylor and Kieron McCann.

Ashford-born Julian, who has had spells with the likes of Brentford, Stevenage and Gillingham  went full length to push a good effort from Draycott round the post as Invicta looked the more likely to break the deadlock.

They eventually did that following the introduction off the bench of Johan Ter Horst six minutes from time.

And as the visitors attacked with pace down the right it was Ter Horst who raced clear to slip the ball inside for Taylor to tuck it away to the sheer delight of the noisy Invicta fans behind the goal.

But their ecstasy did not long enough for our liking and O’Hara popped up to spare the champions’ blushes a couple of minutes into stoppage time, saving his side from what would have been only their third home league defeat this season.

This was a truly excellent performance by Invicta, who, in the form of the last two games rather than in the 3-0 home defeat by league runners up Dulwich Hamlet seven days earlier, can go in search of victory at Hendon on Thursday, where the winners will face either the aforementioned Dulwich or Leiston on May Bank Holiday Monday.

Folkestone Invicta: Roberts, Vincent, Everitt (Draycott 67), Newman, Davies, Hasler, Dolan, Aboagye (Ter Horst 84), Taylor, Yusuff, McCann.

Subs not used: Wright, Shaw

Attendance: 2,206

Referee: Abigail Marriott

Pictures supplied by Don Linkin.