by Andrew Gidley

Neil Cugley admitted he was disappointed but proud after watching Folkestone Invicta’s Ryman League, Division 1 South season end in sad fashion on Tuesday night.

The Invicta boss was pleased with his side’s display in their play-off semi-final 1-0 defeat against favourites Maidstone. It was their third appearance in the play-offs in the past four years.

Invicta’s consolation will be a share of the 75% gate receipts from an all-ticket 2,195 crowd, the rest going to the league.

Cugley said: "I never thought we would get into the play-offs anyway, so to get there and put on a performance like that in a front of a big gate makes me proud.

"Three of them (my players) Phil Stevenson, Johan Ter Horst and Dane Luchford don’t get a penny."

He added: "I thought both goalkeepers were excellent. We had half chances but maybe lacked a little bit of quality in the final third, which you need at this level.

"Our naivety up front showed a little bit when we got into dangerous areas, not picking out the best option.

"I am disappointed we lost but not by what we have achieved. It’s been brilliant."

Player-coach Darren Smith added: "The back four and Jack (Delo) were brilliant but things didn’t fall for us at the other end. On the balance of play, that was how the game went.

"I couldn’t see them scoring from open-play, it was all about set-plays and long throws. There was a bit of a scramble and they managed to score. It was a war of attrition out there and they got the opportunity to win it."