Folkestone boss Neil Cugley hopes Saturday’s vital home game against Met Police will help arrest their slide towards the Ryman League, Premier Division drop-zone.

Invicta were moments away from a superb win at Lowestoft on Saturday, only to be pegged back by an late equaliser and despite claiming a point, were dragged within two points of the relegation zone.

Cugley said: “We’re all disappointed not to get the three points after leading twice. I was disappointed that we didn’t try harder for a third goal to make it 3-1.”

He added: “We’ve conceded way too many goals for my liking – we all know that and their equaliser just after half-time was a poor goal.”

After four straight away games – which brought just that single point – Invicta now face back-to-back home games which Cugley admits could save their season.

Folkestone have won 10 of their 20 games at the Fullicks Stadium this season and taken 34 points.

Even a similar average return of five points from their final three home games would go a long way to ensuring they remain in the division.

Cugley said: “Our home form now is going to be vital. We’ve got two home games coming up and they are clearly important. We’ll be going all out to win them both. Our supporters have been great this season but we need them to make even more noise in our three remaining home matches.”

Met Police have hauled themselves three places and four points ahead of 18th-placed Invicta, while the following Saturday’s visitors, Hendon, are two points behind – sat third bottom – with a game in hand.

Invicta’s season will finish with a game at basement-boys Grays on April 22 but although the Essex side are 12 points from safety, Cugley said they can’t rely on that game as a ‘get out of jail card.’

He said: “They look as though they’re almost down already and I suppose if you could pick one game to have on the last day that would be it.

“But we must not forget that they’ve beaten us already and we don’t want to go there needing to win to stay up if we can possibly avoid it.”

Midfielder Ronnie Dolan could miss the final five games as he continues to struggle with an ankle injury.

Skipper Liam Friend (ankle) missed the trip to Lowestoft but could return within 10 days while wing-back Sam Beale hopes to shake off a groin strain.

Cugley was hoping to bring in two new strikers for the run-in and they could be signed in time for Saturday.