Invicta were clinging on at the end as they eventually edged to a double over a lively Brightlingsea side at the Fullicks Stadium.

To their credit, the Essex coast outfit brought far more supporters on this first ever visit to Folkestone than many so called bigger clubs and were rewarded with a spirited performance from their side who were promoted as convincing champions of the Bostik (then Ryman) North Division almost 12 months to do the day after Invicta had romped up to the Premier Division in similarly decisive fashion.

There was very little to separate the two sides in the first half and it took a mistake from Regents one time Southend keeper Harry Palmer who Ronnie Dolan’s cross from a  Joe Taylor cross squirm over the line to give Invicta the lead just seconds before the half-time break.

Invicta’s top scorer Ade Yusuff had done well to finish the first half after stubbing his foot to aggravate a hamstring problem, but it was his replacement – new signing Jerald Aboagye – who provided the forward momentum that helped the home side take control after the break.

In a move instigated by ex-Hythe player Aboagye Joe Taylor headed Folkestone into a 2-0 lead on 57 minutes and the home side seemed to be on their way to a comfortable victory.

But only one goal separated these two sides – and that with a somewhat contentious late penalty – when they first met in January and when dangerman Billy Hunt pulled one back from close range 17 minutes from time.

The visitors had the ball in the net again seconds later but referee Ricky Adams had already blown for an earlier offence and Folkestone gradually regained enough control when Aboagye again broke forward and the now very much back on song Ian Draycott restored Folkestone’s two goal advantage two minutes before the end of normal time.

Even at 3-1 ahead, there was still plenty to worry about for Invicta and from a free kick conceded by sponsors’ man of the match Sam Hasler, substitute Jake Turner set up an even more tense finish in stoppage time.

There was still time for Brightlingsea to hit the bar as home fans in a good crowd of 357 held their breath to pray their side hang could onto to fourth place in the table with plenty to play for in these final three months of a good season.

Seven days ago, Invicta had surrendered a three goal lead to draw 3-3 at Hendon and home fans could have been forgiven for feeling that they were due for similar disappointment, but their anxiety this time proved unfounded.

Folkestone Invicta: Roberts; Vincent, Blanks, Everitt, Davies, Newman, Hasler, Dolan, Draycott, Yusuff (Abogaye 46), Taylor

Subs not used: Madden, Walmsley, Shaw

Attendance: 357

Referee: Ricky Adams