Folkestone manager Neil Cugley felt a slow start contributed to his side's FA Trophy exit.

Invicta lost their second qualifying round replay 1-0 at home to Burgess Hill on Tuesday night after the sides had played out a 0-0 draw in the first meeting at the weekend.

Cugley said: "It was a bit like Saturday. We were poor in the first half and then you’re chasing the game, trying to get people up for the second half. That’s disappointing.

"I thought we were poor in the first half, they dominated us and they did exactly the same down there. It makes it such a hard game to get going again.

"I can’t knock the effort. We put everything into it but we’ve got to start better in games.

"If we play every game like we did in the second half, we’ll hardly lose a game. I thought we were outstanding after half-time – Pilly (Jon Pilbeam) caused them problems, he was getting in, and Jordan (Wright) did well.

"Suddenly we started looking a good side – but you don’t want to be waiting until the second half."

Dan Perry dispossessed Folkestone captain Liam Friend inside his own half and ran clear to score the winner on 69 minutes.

Cugley said: "There were two good defences out there, the two best defences in the league, and you could see why. It’s very hard for forwards to get many chances against them. In both games, it’s been really tight.

"I’m not sure if it was handball or not when he broke away, they got a bit of luck with that. It was always going to be a mistake. He just got a lucky bounce, got through and took it well.

"We had loads of chances and loads of corners but the quality of the corners wasn’t as good as we hoped."

Burgess Hill collected £3,250 for winning and they'll host Leatherhead in the third qualifying round.

Cugley said: "I wanted to go through. I don’t want to lose any game.

"You know you’re not going to win the competition, you’re not daft, but you hope to get through a couple more rounds and play one of the bigger sides.

"That’s what you’re in it for and there’s three grand (in prize money), which we need."