One thing is for certain after three games in 11 days between these two sides is that there really isn’t too much between them.

Folkestone pulled off a shock 5-1 win in the Bostik Premier Division at Leiston a week ago last Saturday and were back at the same ground in the Buildbase FA Trophy seven days later to deservedly earn a replay in a 1-1 draw.

And though Folkestone battered the visitors defence for enough of these final two out of five hours against the side from Suffolk only the completely churlish will begrudge the East Anglian outfit their place in the Second Qualifying Round of the non-league FA Cup after an epic defensive performance led by their undoubted man of the match – burly keeper Marcus Garnham.

Garnham pulled off two outstanding first half saves and continued to defy Neil Cugley’s battling Invicta throughout the second 45 minutes plus half an hour of extra time before the drama of a penalty shoot-out.

Invicta’s leading scorer Ade Yusuff did everything but put the ball in the net at least four or five times, while one or two of his team-mates were not too far behind in keeping the Blues keeper at the top of his game.

Both sides were forced to make changes from the first tie at Victory Road on Saturday and while home fans might claim their side should have won this game fairly easily, that is to detract from a fine, ridiculously hard fought game of football that was a credit to the Bostik Premier Division.

Midfielder Scott Heard eventually broke the deadlock 11 minutes into the first period of extra time when he cracked the ball high into the net to give Folkestone the lead.

Yusuff was again desperately unlucky when his deflected low cross-cum-shot was deflected wide of the far post and Kieron McCann cracked a fine shot against the post as Invicta tried to make the game safe.

But the visitors raised their game in the second 15 extra minutes and, with five still to go, their captain Joe Jefford forced home the equaliser.

Even then there were chances at both ends, but a place in the second round away at Dorking Wanderers on November 11 went down to the dreaded shoot-out.

And after five spot-kicks each ended level at four apiece Garnham saved the 13th penalty of the night before Leiston left-back Seb Dunbar won it for the visitors.

Both clubs would of course have welcomed the £3,250 prize money but sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and wish good luck to Leiston against Dorking Wanderers a week on Saturday, while, by the kind of incongruous coincidence that football so often throws up, Folkestone have to pick themselves up and dust themselves off before facing the same opposition – Dorking – in the league at the Fullicks Stadium in four days time.

Invicta: Roberts; Vincent, Cooper, Everitt, Taylor (Sahadow), Newman, Wright, Heard, Draycott, Yusuff, McCann

Subs not used: Madden, Walmsley, Edge, Shaw

Referee: Steven Hughes

Attendance: 301