FOLKESTONE Invicta's relegation from the Dr Martens League Premier Division was confirmed on Saturday when they slumped 3-0 at home to fellow strugglers Ilkeston Town in their bottom-of-the-table clash at Cheriton Road.

After four home wins in their previous five games, Invicta had gone into the game optimistic of continuing their run.

But this will go down as one of their worst performances of a disappointing season as Ilkeston recorded their first away league win of the season and made it six Premier Division wins out of six in three seasons against Invicta.

Neil Cugley's side again went into the game without injured top goalscorer Allan Tait (heel) and were always chasing the game after conceding the first goal in the 30th minute.

John Ayling looked bright for Invicta early on, but has now gone 10 games without a goal and when defender John Guest was pushed forward into attack for most of the second half, it summed up Invicta's desperation.

This game was all about who is likely to finish bottom of the table and Ilkeston got the all-important first goal when defender Barry Woolley whacked the ball home after Chris Freestone's header was cleared off the line following a corner on the right.

Leon Kelly then fired over for the visitors when he burst down the left hand side following a Freestone ball after 34 minutes.

Invicta tried to get back into the game and Ayling's shot across the goalmouth just eluded James Dryden in the middle after 36 minutes.

An early second-half injury to Martin Chandler saw Invicta have to re-adjust, but Dryden was close when Ayling fed him in the box after 59 minutes.

Another Dryden shot scraped the post and James Millar's shot forced a save from goalkeeper Andy Love after 63 minutes.

But Ilkeston were to finish the game as comfortable winners.

An Ian Robinson shot flashed across the Invicta goal when Woolley nodded the ball down after 65 minutes and goalkeeper Maurice Munden had to pluck Freestone's right wing cross out of the air after 76 minutes.

It was 2-0 in the 72nd minute when former Dover Athletic striker Kelly received the ball on the right, cut inside and sent a sweet strike into the far corner of the net.

And Freestone completed the scoring to give Ilkeston their biggest win of the season when he was there to follow up after an initial save from Munden.

The fact that Invicta could only name three substitutes, including the injured Andy Morris, and Ilkeston just a substitute goalkeeper in Lee Evans hints at the problems both sides have faced this season.

Folkestone Invicta: Munden, Everitt, Larkin, Lindsey, Henry, Guest, Millar, Chambers, Dryden, Chandler (Towse 53 mins), Ayling. Unused subs: Morris, Maxwell.