Invicta began a week of back to back away fixtures with defeat in Hertfordshire on Tuesday evening as they came up against a Cheshunt side determined to pull themselves clear of the bottom 4.

Andy Drury made 2 changes from the weekend win over Canvey Island as Toby Byron replaced Francis Mampolo while Tom Kavanagh made his first start in midfield in place of Seidou Sanogo.

Despite early pressure from the hosts it was Invicta who struck first after 20 minutes. Michael Kedman raced through the middle of the defence before being hauled down inside the box. David Smith stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way from the spot.

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— Folkestone Invicta (@FIFC) March 19, 2024

The hosts thought they had a penalty of their own when Billy Bates when to ground in the box from a corner but after deliberating with his assistant the referee awarded a goal kick to Invicta.

Cheshunt were level before the break As Alfie Pendlebury was fed in behind the Invicta defence and finished low across Kai McKenzie-Lyle into the bottom corner.

After the break it was 2 more penalties that would prove decisive. Nnamdi Nwachuku stepping up in the 65th and 76th minute, only narrowly beating the Invicta keeper on both occasions but managing to give Cheshunt a 2 goal advantage.

Invicta had not been at their best but rallied in the final 10 minutes. Eddie Allsopp forced a good save from Cheshunt keeper Brian Okonkwo with a left footed effort but it was Seidou Sanogo who pulled one back, firing home with his right from the edge of the box with 7 minutes to go.

Deep into injury time David Smith bent a free kick just wide of the post but it would prove to be too much to do for Invicta to find an equaliser and it was the hosts who took all 3 points to take themselves 8 away from the bottom 4.

Invicta now look ahead to Sunday as we travel to Cray Wanderers looking to bounce back with 8 games to go.