Hednesford 3, Folkestone Invicta 1

FOLKESTONE Invicta's six-match unbeaten run came to an end when they were beaten 3-1 away to Hednesford Town in front of a 530 crowd at Keys Park.

The Pitmen were in great need of the points in their attempt to pull away from the relegation zone, and the former Conference club gained control by going 2-0 up just before the hour mark. Striker Nicky Dent pulled a goal back with another special goal before Hednesford sealed the points with a third goal.

Invicta had centre half Scott Daniels back in the starting line-up, and had the game's first real chance when top goalscorer James Dryden's lob was dealt with by goalkeeper Mark Gayle.

Striker Neil Davis shot over for Hednesford from outside the penalty area after 17 minutes, and Derek Rae shot wide when giant former Birmingham City striker Keith Francis nodded on Stuart Lake's long throw.

Invicta had the ball in the net after 38 minutes when Dent headed in the rebound after goalkeeper Gayle had touched a Matt Bowers shot onto the crossbar, but Dent was adjudged to have been offside when the midfielder let fly.

Hednesford opened the scoring two minutes later when influential ex-Walsall midfielder Lake headed in a Stewart Airdrie cross as Franc's height continued to cause problems in the Invicta defence. Midfielder Martin Chandler was making his 50th starting appearance for Invicta, but was replaced at half time by substitute Lee McRobert.

Goalkeeper Dave Wietecha saved at close range from Davis after the interval following a surging run from goalscorer Lake.

Captain Danny Chapman shot wide from the edge of the area, but Invicta fell 2-0 down after 58 minutes when former Wycombe Wanderers marksman Davis slotted the ball home after a mix-up in the Invicta defence.

Dent replied after 65 minutes when he unleashed another memorable goal with an unstoppable shot on the turn after Gayle had punched a corner back outside the penalty area. It was the third consecutive Saturday in which Dent had scored and came just a week after his 45-yard stunner at home to Stafford Rangers. But Invicta's hopes of saving the day were dashed just three minutes later, when Airdrie headed home a Lee Barrow free kick to make it 3-1.

There were bookings for Invicta's Daniels and Bower.

Folkestone Invicta: Wietecha, Morris, Virgo, D Larkin, Daniels, Bower, Chandler (McRobert 45 mins), Chapman, Dryden, Dent (Reina), Henry. Unused sub: S Hogg.