Folkestone manager Neil Cugley says his side had a good October but believes what happens in November will probably define Invicta’s season.

Starting with Wednesday’s home game with Whitehawk, fourth-placed Invicta face eight matches, including league games with the three teams above them in Ryman League Division 1 South – leaders Dulwich Hamlet, Maidstone United and Bognor Regis.

Add in Saturday’s FA Carlsberg Trophy second qualifying round home tie with Daventry Town, plus a Ryman League Cup tie at Ryman Premier high-fliers Lewes, and it’s easy to understand the importance Cugley (pictured) is putting on the coming weeks.

He said: "We’ve got a difficult November and as far as the league is concerned, how we get on against Dulwich, Maidstone and Bognor will tell us if we’re good enough to be up there at the end of the season.

"But I have got to say I have been pleasantly surprised by the good football we have played for the last month or so."

Invicta were unbeaten during their seven games in October, including last Saturday’s goalless home draw with Faversham – Cugley’s 600th league game in charge at Cheriton Road.

The Folkestone boss insists he is still enjoying his role just as much as when he first took charge in 1997.

He said: "I am lucky with the people here. The crowd are not moaners, they accept the situation we are in and I would like to take the club back to the Ryman Premier for them."

Providing Saturday’s Trophy tie against Daventry doesn’t require a replay, Folkestone will travel to Ramsgate on Tuesday for a rearranged league game.