Folkestone Invicta 0, Moor Green 1

FOLKESTONE Invicta were left rooted to the bottom two of the Dr Martens League Premier Division as they went down at home to fellow strugglers Moor Green in Saturday's `must-win' home game at Cheriton Road.

This latest defeat leaves Invicta still looking for their first home win of the season as Neil Cugley's side were again left to reflect on what might have been.

The all-important goal came after 70 minutes, when Stephen Evans was there to follow-up after Invicta goalkeeper Maurice Munden had saved Nathan Lamey's initial effort.

But Invicta had the perfect opportunity to equalise when Allan Tait's penalty was saved by Moor Green goalkeeper Adam Rachel after 86 minutes.

Rachel got down to his right to save after Tait himself had been pushed following a left wing cross from substitute John Ayling.

It was the latest blow for a young Invicta side which has suffered more than its fair share of knocks in what is proving to be a difficult season.

Invicta welcomed centre half Anthony Henry back for his first appearance of the season after a cartilage operation back in September, and he took over as captain as Dan Larkin has been loaned to hometown club Chatham Town for a month.

James Millar dropped back to left back, with Scott Lindsey moving forward into midfield.

Invicta were close after 24 minutes when right back Michael Everitt got forward and headed at Rachel following an excellent left wing cross from James Dryden.

Craig Woodley was orchestrating proceedings in the Moor Green midfield after his return from Nuneaton Borough, and he started the move which led to Munden saving from Evans after 34 minutes following a cross from Myers.

If Invicta had shaded the first half, then Moor Green began to impose themselves on a heavy pitch after the interval as big former Birmingham City and Wimbledon centre forward John Gayle's shot was deflected for a corner after 47 minutes when Woodley's trickery inside the box created another chance.

There was a major talking point on the hour when Invicta's Dryden went down as he tried to round goalkeeper Rachel, as a Scott Lindsey ball put him clear through. But all the young striker got for his efforts was a yellow card for diving after referee Legg from East Grinstead had consulted an assistant.

The game now really opened up as Tiat shot just wide on the turn after 66 minutes when a powerful Lindsey header sent Everitt away down the right, and a Millar shot from the edge of the penalty area was charged down a minute later when Dryden raced away down the right.

Gayle forced a save from Munden at the other end after 68 minutes, but a minute later Everitt was close again after Tait played him in following a Lindsey ball.

A goal was coming and it fell to Evans, leaving Invicta with it all to do.

Munden then made a good save to deny goalscorer Evans after 79 minutes in a move involving Lansey, Gayle and Myers.

As Invicta chased a late equaliser, Tait got away down the right after 83 minutes, but his cross flew just in front of striking partner Dryden.

And Tait's penalty miss was to leave the home side empty-handed again.

There were bookings for Invicta's Chandler and Dryden and for Moor Green's Myers, Stanley and Woodley.

This encounter between the two least supported clubs in the Premier Division attracted a season's lowest attendance of 302 to Cheriton Road.

Folkestone Invicta: Munden, Everitt, Millar, Lindsey, Daniels, Guest (Hafner 81 mins), Chandler (Gardiner 90 mins), Smith (Ayling 73 mins), Dryden, Tait, Henry. Unused sub: Dyson.