A rare goal indeed from defender Phil Starkey in the 89th minute and a second by sub Ian Draycott deep into stoppage time gave Invicta their first home league win since August and sent the faithful in a crowd of 399 home from the Fullicks Stadium in good spirits as the chill of winter began to set in.
There had been little between lower mid-table Folkestone and their eighth placed first time visitors in a good competitive game – The Scholars having gone close a hitting the woodwork very early on before Neil Cugley’s side started to gain the upper hand.
In a series of the corners and close thing, Kieron McCann perhaps went closest for Invicta when he saw his deflected effort bounce off the crossbar to safety towards the end of the first period.
Potters Bar, who had signed four new players in the run-up to this game, came more into the match after the interval and went close themselves several times.
But their best chance appeared to fall to the unmarked Bradley Sach, who, in acres of space, could have taken the ball in far closer but dallied and could only fire tamely wide.
Looking for their first league win, Invicta boss Cugley replaced the again impressive Finn O’Mara with striker Ian Draycott and introduced second sub Alfie Paxman in the final 10 minutes.
Draycott went close and Paxman’s pace began to pose problems for the visitors who had struggled to handle the power and persistence of Ade Yusuff all game long.
And, with only second left in the normal time good work by man of the match Ronnie Dolan and McCann found marauding defender Starkey to fire past keeper Dan Purdue to break the deadlock.
Folkestone were not about to rest of their laurels and when Paxman and Yusuff combined on the left the latter’s cross was smashed into the roof of the net by Draycott to seal an excellent win.
This was a fine team performance from Invicta with everyone putting in a decent shift against more than competent opposition.
Folkestone are next in action on Tuesday when they take on Hayes & Yeading in the League Cup before their big Buildbase FA Trophy at Woking next weekend.
Folkestone Invicta: Roberts; Starkey, Blanks, O’Mara (Draycott 50), Davies, Dolan, Newman, Everitt, Rowland (Paxman 81), Yusuff, McCann
Subs not used: Vincent, Hasler, Coleman
Referee: Scott Rudd
Attendance: 399