Neil Cugley says keeping Folkestone in the Ryman League, Premier Division is among the best achievements of his managerial career.

On the final day of his 20th season at the helm at Cheriton Road, Cugley saw his side win 3-0 at already-relegated Grays to ensure 16th spot and their survival by two points, a year after romping to the Division 1 South title with a record points haul.

Cugley said: “I think this is bigger than winning the league was. Keeping Folkestone in this division is a massive achievement and we deserved it, though we didn’t make it easy.

“Last year the only way we could have a good season was by winning the league. This year was a real challenge but we managed to get 55 points in the Premier Division with a lot of players we have given a go from other leagues.

“I am proud of what we have achieved and pleased for the club that we’ve done it, despite a season when we’ve sold a couple of our better players and been trying to keep the wage bill down.

"When we brought Joe Taylor in in September we didn’t have a target man and it was a bit of a gamble but we had nothing to lose and he’s scored a lot of goals.

“I think there’s more to come from him, too. He’s shown what he can do but at his age he could go on to be a good non-league striker.”

Cugley revealed Invicta could have been looking for a new boss had the unthinkable happened on the final day.

He said: “When you’ve won that league (Division 1 South) by 20 points it’s hard to go back and try to do it all over again. I don’t think I have anything to prove by going back into that league, with all due respect to the clubs in it.

“If we had been relegated I think I’d have probably stayed in management but looked for a new challenge somewhere. I enjoy this league and I’d like to think this is where we belong.”