Folkestone boss Neil Cugley hopes to rally his troops ahead of a season-defining 10-day spell after watching the title they ‘won’ taken away from them.

Invicta’s Ryman League Division 1 South title chances were ended by Croydon on Tuesday who were four points clear before the game and held out for a 0-0 draw.

Invicta’s had been trying to overcome a 10-point penalty incurred because of financial problems.

And Cugley said: "We would have won the league if it hadn’t been for the other side of the club. I had mixed emotions watching them celebrate on our pitch – it could have been us. We have had it taken away from us."

With the play-offs in mind, Cugley said of the game: "We didn’t want to go mad – we want to finish second and didn’t want to throw that away too."

He said he is not bothered who his side face in the play-off on Tuesday, or who they could face in next Saturday’s final, so long as they secure the point needed to finish second and secure home advantage for both games, should they win the first.

He said: "What will be, will be. It doesn’t matter who we play."

Invicta face a Kent Senior Cup semi-final at home to Welling on Thursday before hosting Corinthian Casuals on Saturday, needing just a point to secure runners-up spot.