Folkestone Invicta’s home debut at Margate’s Hartsdown Park ended in dramatic fashion as substitute Ben Mason marked his debut with a 92nd-minute winner against 10-man St Albans City.

Both sides went into the fixture off the back of 2-0 wins – Invicta winning away to Canvey Island while The Saints secured their first win of the Isthmian season against last season’s play-off finalists Dartford.

Invicta made two changes from the side that started – and won – at Canvey, with Brad Walledge and Josh Strouts coming in for Ade Yusuff and Jake Hutchinson. Dean Rance returned to the squad having missed the trip to Essex, while Mason was included in the squad for the first time since picking up a knock in our pre-season win against Dover.

Supporters in black and amber made the far end of the stadium their home as St Albans City kicked off the afternoon, the first goalmouth action taking place in front of them as Invicta won a corner in the second minute that lead to Joel-Michael Odeniran firing harmlessly wide.

Ted Collins was soon called into the first save of the afternoon to push away an effort from St Albans captain Zane Banton in the fifth minute.

Invicta struck the first blow of the afternoon in the 12th minute after a sloppy pass fell to Mikey Berry. The midfielder laid the ball off to Liam Smith who found Donell Thomas in space, Thomas turning and threading a pass through the defence for Kweku Lucan’s run. St Albans keeper Magnus Norman got a trailing leg to his effort but couldn’t divert the ball away from goal – with defender Jack James also unable to clear it on the goal-line – leaving Lucan to celebrate his second strike in an Invicta shirt.

Thomas forced a save from Norman from 25 yards after carrying the ball from inside his own half before Berry had an effort from inside the penalty area that saw an identical stop. St Albans’ Sam Smart fired one back in the 28th minute from over 30 yards, straight down the throat of Collins.

Lucan, looking to add to his tally, stung the palms of Norman in the 37th minute with a dipping effort from distance, but referee Peter Conn called the first half to a conclusion with the lead still at 1-0.

St Albans opted to a half time substitution, with Leo Sery replacing James Sweet as they made a change of system for the second period.

On the hour mark veteran defender Michael Bostwick was the first player into the referee’s book after scything down Montel McKenzie, who had been a constant threat down the Invicta left. McKenzie stepped up to deliver the free kick, bending it just wide of the far post.

Invicta introduced Hutchinson, Yusuff and Rance as the visitors made two more changes of their own, but it was the half time substitute Sery who struck the blow for the away side on 67 minutes when allowed to shoot from 25 yards, his strike bouncing inside Collins’ left-hand post to level the score.

Less than 30 seconds after the restart the game took another twist, McKenzie winning a header to flick a ball in behind right-back James, with Yusuff racing to chase before the arm of Bostwick came across to block his run and knocked him to the floor. The 37-year-old former Peterborough defender was shown a second yellow card and subsequent red to leave the visitors to face the final 22 minutes a man light.

The visitors now appeared content to head home with a point while Invicta were looking to make their numerical advantage count. Liam Smith headed wide from a deep free kick and Mikey Berry saw and effort blocked from point blank range.

Ben Mason was introduced for his debut with seven minutes remaining as Invicta continued to toil in their attempts to break down the stubborn St Albans resistance.

The visitors won a corner on their left in the first of five minutes injury time. Invicta cleared the ball to Yusuff in space on the left flank to carry the ball from inside his own half to the byline where he delivered a cross that was punched clear by Norman. Player of the Match Mikey Berry recycled possession to Smith who found Yusuff, who had quickly moved across to the right, for the forward to flick the ball in between defenders to find the run of Mason who threw his right boot through the ball first time to send it beyond Norman to strike the back of the net, Mason racing away to the far corner to celebrate as pink shirts around the pitch dropped to the floor.

The win takes Invicta to four games unbeaten at the start of the season and up to seventh in the Isthmian Premier Division.

Mikey Berry was awarded his Player of the Match award by Neil Morris on behalf of our matchday sponsors Jakob James Designer Homes, who are also our first team sleeve sponsors. We would like to thank Jakob James for their continued support of Folkestone Invicta.

Invicta now turn attentions to August Bank Holiday Monday and a trip to face second-placed Chatham Town at The Bauvill Stadium. Tickets are available to purchase online here.