In an unusual step, Folkestone Invicta manager Neil Cugley has openly criticised the officials who took charge of his side's 1-1 Ryman League Division 1 South game at Whyteleafe on Tuesday night.

Invicta, according to Cugley, were on the wrong end of three crucial decisions during the match, which ultimately cost his side two points, and the chance to climb to within one point of league leaders Walton and Hersham.

"I'm not one to criticise the officials normally," Cugley sighed. "But the officials last night must be disappointed with their performance. It was really poor.

"There was confusion over why the Whyteleafe 'keeper wasn't sent off in the first half after he gave away a penalty. Then the ref gives a penalty to Whyteleafe that not even their manager can explain, and to finish off, the linesman flags the wrong player offside when we are clean through on goal in the last minute.

"The referee wasn't to blame for our finishing though. I was disappointed by that part of our game."

There were no such troubles against Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday as Invicta secured a 2-0 victory. One negative to come from the game was a foot injury to Lee Spiller that will sideline the midfield for at least two weeks. This means he will miss Saturday's cup tie against Ramsgate at the Buzzlines Stadium, leaving Cugley down to the bare bones.

"Playing Ramsgate is always a difficult task," Cugley admitted. "But now we've lost Lee Spiller, on top of Craig (Wilkins), Jimmy (Corbett) and Andy Pugh, the tie has become that little bit tougher. Despite this, if we match them and play the way we have been doing so far this season we have a good chance of progressing."

Pugh is ineligible due to the loan agreement with parent club Gillingham. The 19-year-old's spell at Invicta is due to expire next week, but Cugley is hopeful of coming to an extension agreement with the League 2 club by the weekend.