A controversial derby saw Folkestone come from behind on Boxing Day to beat Herne Bay in Isthmian Premier to complete a double over them.

Winger Mason Saunders-Henry had put Bay ahead in the first half before Invicta's top scorer Ade Yusuff equalised from the spot.

Striker Ibrahim Olutade put Invicta in front after the restart.

A whole host more calls then went against strugglers Bay in the second period, with skipper Laurence Harvey having a dramatic late equaliser ruled out in controversial circumstances, but Invicta held on to win 2-1.

The first action of any note in the sixth minute at Winch’s Field saw visiting midfielder Ronnie Dolan cautioned for a foul on Harvey.

Five minutes later, there were openings at both ends in quick succession.

In-form Herne Bay striker Kymani Thomas beat the offside trap but new away keeper Patrik Ohman closed down the angle well before Folkestone’s 28-year-old Yusuff headed wide a right-back Josh Vincent cross, as he squandered a big opportunity.

That proved costly in the 20th minute, the hosts drawing first blood after a swift counter-attack. Che Krabbendam did well on the right and he crossed to on-loan Tonbridge man Saunders-Henry who emphatically slammed past Ohman. It was Saunders-Henry's third goal this season.

It could have been 2-0, three minutes later. A high free-kick by the hosts fell kindly to Harvey - who appeared to foul an Invicta man however nothing was given - and he drilled across the face of goal, with nobody able to convert.

Midfielder Bode Anidugbe tried his luck on the half-hour mark for Kevin Watson’s men in front of a crowd of 593, only for his ambitious strike to go over.

Bay goalkeeper Jordan Perrin had to be alert on 33 minutes to thwart Folkestone frontman Olutade when he nipped in at the near post to get on the end of a right-wing cross.

Opposite number Ohman then prevented the home side doubling their advantage. Attacker Rory Smith had beaten the offside track and tried to round Ohman, only for Invicta’s goalkeeper to pluck the ball off his toes.

Folkestone equalised from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time. Harvey was adjudged to have fouled Olutade by referee Nick Dunn and, while Bay's players were furious with the call, Yusuff kept his cool for his 22nd goal this season.

Three minutes into the second period, Ira Jackson crossed from the right to Invicta strike partner Yusuff, who produced a headed attempt which Perrin was equal to.

Bay’s pace was giving them plenty of joy behind the Invicta back-line, though, and Thomas slotted in off the post in the 51st minute. But he was denied by the offside flag, much to the frustration of the home contingent who felt the crucial decisions went against them.

The away team netted the third goal, five minutes later. Left-back Nathan Green headed a corner against the crossbar and Olutade converted from close range his ninth goal of the campaign.

On the half-hour mark, the visitors had concerns over debutant Ohman who collided with Thomas, with the Folkestone keeper coming off worse.

Mr Dunn once again was in the spotlight with 65 minutes played. Maidstone loanee frontman TT Walters looked like he was fouled in the area, although the Bay appeals were waved away.

Ohman was unable to continue any longer at this stage and fellow new Folkestone keeper Joe Coleman took his place between the sticks.

With Bay trying to test Coleman, Yusuff flashed across the face of goal at the other end as the contest headed into the last 15 minutes.

Another decision went against the hosts in the final seconds of normal time when Krabbendam weaved into the area and Mr Dunn blew his whistle. But the ex-Cheshunt wideman was booked for diving.

In five minutes of stoppage time, substitute Ian Draycott wasted a great opportunity for Folkestone to round off the victory.

The penultimate minute of stoppage time saw incredible scenes.

A home free-kick wasn’t cleared and there was a goalmouth scramble which ensued and saw Coleman make a great save. Harvey did hook into the net. However after a discussion between the referee and linesman, the goal was ruled out and Folkestone held on.

It was the first points joint-head coaches Roland Edge and Micheal Everitt have won on the road in the league since they took the helm.

Bay remain second-bottom while Invicta are 13th in the table, seven points adrift of the play-off places.

There were plenty of changes in Folkestone’s goalkeeping department - on a busy afternoon for their new recruits.

Bailey Vose has left due to work and travel commitments, with Ohman signed and starting in his place. Ex-youth team keeper Coleman was also on the away bench having recently re-joined the Cheriton Road outfit.

Their other change to their starting line-up saw Vincent return and replace Robbie Dolan who dropped to the bench alongside utility player Matt Newman who made a comeback too.

For Bay, there was a return for fit-again striker Smith who started.

Striker Marcel Barrington and left-back Jack Parter also were fit enough to take up spots on the bench after recent injury issues.

There was, however, no full-back Harrison Hatfull in the home squad, who recently signed from rivals Margate.

Herne Bay: Perrin, Williams, Harvey, Johnson, Smith, Saunders-Henry, Anidugbe, Krabbendam, Thomas (Allsopp 79mins), Walters (Barrington 65mins), Ozobia. Subs not used: Martins, Parter, Saunders.

Folkestone Invicta: Ohman (Coleman 67mins), Vincent, Green, Gayle, Davies, Rogers, Heard, Ronnie Dolan, Olutade, Yusuff, Jackson (Draycott 83mins). Subs not used: Newman, Robbie Dolan, Atherton.

Referee: Nick Dunn.

Attendance: 593.