Buoyant Invicta reclaimed second spot in the table on their first visit to the Esssex coast thanks to a stoppage penalty by Ade Yusuff after the lively Kieron McCann was chopped down in the box.

Sam Hasler’s well struck low free-kick beat impressive on-loan Southend United keeper Harry Palmer to put Folkestone ahead on 28 minutes in a fairly even first half.

The Essex outfit made a fair bit of the running after the break, keeping Tim Roberts fairly busy in the Folkestone goal.

And they drew level seven minutes after the restart when Roberts saved well from a penalty but when the resultant corner came over, Matt Cripps put Regents back on terms.

But Invicta were not to be denied and after earlier hitting the bar, Yusuff coolly beat the excellent Palmer from the spot to extend Invicta’s winning run to seven games.

And with Met Police seeing their 13 game unbeaten run destroyed as leaders Dulwich Hamlet romped to a 4-1 win at Imber Court, Neil Cugley’s side went back into the second place.

And they now take on the Met in the league cup at the Fullicks Stadium on Tuesday, seeking to avenge a 3-1 reverse in the league at Esher a couple of months ago.

Invicta: Roberts; Cooper, Vincent, Newman, Blanks; Wright (Taylor 70), Hasler, Everitt, McCann; Draycott, Yusuff.

Subs not used: Dolan, Madden, Shaw