Folkestone Invicta booked their place in the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round for the first time since 2022 after a dramatic comeback in Sussex thanks three goals in 10 minutes either side of half time.

After Invicta had fallen behind to a brace from Shamir Fenelon, a strike from Finley Marjoram just before half time gave Invicta a lifeline before Ben Mason and Josh Strouts turned the tie on its head in the space of 135 seconds.

Jay Saunders only made one change to the side that had beaten Burgess Hill Town seven days earlier, with Bivesh Gurung coming into the midfield for Mikey Berry. Goalkeeper Isaac Ogunseri, who made his debut on Tuesday night in the Kent Senior Cup at VCD Athletic, teenage defender Dillon Simmons and Brad Walledge all came onto the bench.

A minute’s silence was held prior to kick-off in memory of 21-year-old Billy Vigar. Our thoughts are with Billy’s family, loved ones and everyone at Chichester City.

Invicta enjoyed a positive start, seeing plenty of the ball although not testing Horsham goalkeeper Lewis Carey. At the other end Ted Collins’ goal also remained free from any threat as the hosts saw a glancing header from Fenelon head well wide and Reece Myles-Meekums fire high into the netting behind.

The Hornets struck the first blow in the 12th minute as Charlie Hester-Cook closed down a clearance from Kevin Lokko, the ball ricocheting into the path of Fenelon who poked it beyond the advancing Collins to open the scoring.

Horsham thought they had doubled their lead just two minutes later as Hester-Cook flew through the air to turn a ball from Harvey Sparks beyond Collins. Thankfully, referee Joe Woolmer spotted that he had done so with his hand.

Horsham were in the ascendancy since the opening goal, and Fenelon was looking for more as he received the ball in space on the left and cut inside to unleash an effort that curled towards Collins near post, the Invicta keeper flying to his left to make a superb stop.

Left-back Sparks forced an equally good stop with a ferocious effort from distance the Collins push for a corner. Invicta saw the ball out for a throw on the far side, which was delivered into a crowded penalty area. Lokko got the first head to it but the second ball fell to Fenelon who struck his effort on the turn into the top corner of Collins’ net to double the lead.

Manager Jay Saunders commented post-match that the belief was always there that his side could get back into the game, and Horsham’s 2-0 lead lasted less than 10 minutes as Invicta struck shortly before half time. Finley Marjoram had been troubling Horsham down the Invicta left and raced onto a pass through the defence from Donell Thomas, his first-time cross blocked but the teenager reacted quickly to recover the ball ahead of Lee Harding, cutting into the penalty area and fizzing his strike into the far top corner.

A couple of wayward efforts from Horsham ended the half, but Invicta headed in trailing by just the single goal.

With Mikey Berry replacing Dean Rance during the interval, it took Invicta just four minutes after the restart to strike again. A corner from the right cleared everybody and Lokko then recycled the ball and played it back into the penalty area. Jake Elliott got a foot to it but only managed to set it for Ben Mason who came onto the ball perfectly to arrow an effort through the crowd and beyond Carey into the top corner.

Before Horsham had time to regroup, Invicta fired what would prove to be the winning blow. Josh Strouts collected the ball in the middle of the Horsham half and found Marjoram wide who drove at two defenders, losing possession but continuing his run to close down a clearance from Elliott, echoing the opening goal of the afternoon as the ball dropped straight into the path of Strouts who took a touch and buried his chance beyond Carey.

Elliott headed over from a corner at the other end, before substitute Ola Ogunwamide found the outside of the net at the back post, the ball rolling around the back of the goal as many home fans in the main stand cheered in vein.

Ronnie Dolan was sent on for Thomas with 16 minutes remaining and almost made an immediate impact, fizzing an effort from distance narrowly over Carey’s crossbar.

Every minute was being ticked off by the sizeable support in sky blue, until the fourth official signalled five added minutes. One final effort from distance was sent straight down Collins’ throat by Myles-Meekums before the referee’s whistle sparked celebrations from those who had made the 87-mile trip.

After back-to-back wins over step two opposition, Invicta will now face National League side Southend United in the 4th Qualifying Round, looking to cause a third upset to reach the first round for the first time since 2005.

Before the trip to Roots Hall, Invicta will kick off another road to Wembley with a trip to AFC Dunstable in the FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round on Saturday 4th October.