A rare home defeat saw Folkestone Invicta exit the FA Trophy on Tuesday night.

Their second qualifying round replay against Ryman League Division 1 South promotion rivals Burgess Hill was decided by a Dan Perry goal midway through the second half.

It's only the second time Invicta have lost at home this year.

The first meeting between these sides finished goalless on Saturday and there was little between them in the first half at the Fullicks Stadium.

Heavy rain had put the game in some doubt but referee Paul Johnson sensibly delayed the kick-off until 8pm to allow ground staff to clear standing water from the pitch.

Jordan Wright had an early chance for the home side, latching onto Paul Booth's flick and drawing a smart save from Hillians keeper Josh James at his near post.

At the other end, the impressive Lee Harding headed wide from a Neil Watts cross and Perry had a shot pushed round the post by Tim Roberts in the Folkestone goal.

Burgess Hill should have been punished for a poor clearance but Booth shot weakly at James.

The visitors worked the ball back to right-back Watts moments later and he laced a powerful shot just over the crossbar from 25 yards.

Muddy conditions made for a real midfield battle and although both teams were fully committed, they lacked an end product going forward. Folkestone scrambled the danger clear after Perry had burst into the box and the home fans were then groaning in frustration when Jon Pilbeam did likewise for Invicta, only to roll the ball wastefully behind for a goal kick as Wright waited for the killer pass.

Pilbeam earned himself a yard of space with a neat piece of skill but his goalbound shot was blocked.

Burgess Hill captain Darren Budd got a brief sight of goal on the stroke of half-time but Nat Blanks made a fine block, throwing his body in front of the ball.

Neil Cugley's side started the second half with real vigour and more often than not, Pilbeam was their outlet down the right-hand side.

The former Tunbridge Wells man dug out a terrific deep cross and Booth climbed well, only to see his downward header drop just wide of the far post.

Watts had a header cleared off the Folkestone line from a corner before a superb passing move from the home side cut Burgess Hill wide open at the other end. Darren Smith slid in, trying to apply the finishing touch, but James was out bravely to thwart him.

Folkestone were getting into plenty of good positions but they had nothing to show for it.

And they fell behind on 69 minutes, Perry dispossessing Liam Friend just inside the Invicta half and running clear before drilling a low shot beyond Roberts.

The home side looked to respond and Booth stung James' palms with a rasping 20-yarder.

But it was almost 2-0 when Perry led a rapid counter-attack, with plenty of Folkestone players committed upfield. This time Roberts dived at his feet and the danger was averted.

Cugley threw centre-half Frankie Chappell forward as an emergency striker and he should have sent the tie to extra-time. A ball into the box dropped kindly for Chappell, six yards out, but he prodded the ball straight at the grateful James.

Booth had a header saved and then shot over but time eventually ran out for Folkestone.

Burgess Hill go through to a home tie against Leatherhead in the next round while Invicta continue their league campaign with a home game against Three Bridges on Saturday.

Folkestone: Roberts, Vincent, Blanks, Friend, Chappell, Wraight, Wright, Pilbeam, Draycott, Booth, Smith. Subs not used: Taylor, Fedor, Palmer, Fender.

Burgess Hill: James, Watts, Pointing, Budd (O'Toole 68mins), Pearson, Miles, Kirkwood, Keehan, P Harding, Perry, L Harding (Tuck 90mins). Subs not used: Cunliffe, Bowra, Morrish.

Attendance: 171.