Folkestone Invicta’s FA Cup journey came to an end on Saturday at the hands of Southend United. Joe Pigott’s second half strike on his return to Roots Hall was only a consolation for Jay Saunders’ side against ruthless National League promotion hopefuls.

A crowd of 3,507 filled two sides of Roots Hall, a record crowd for a Folkestone Invicta fixture, including 405 travelling supporters decked in black and amber and sky blue who arrived in hope that this may be the year they saw their side reach the First Round Proper for the first time in two decades.

Jay Saunders was able to select from a full squad, with Dean Rance returning to the starting XI and Ade Yusuff to the bench – both having missed the FA Trophy win at AFC Dunstable a week earlier. Captain Kevin Lokko returned to lead the defence, with Ben Mason, Donell Thomas and Josh Strouts making up the five changes from the trip to Bedfordshire.

Both sides exchanged early threats without seriously testing either goalkeeper. Ted Collins dealt with one ball that flew across the face of goal and punched another onto the roof of his net, while Thomas, Pigott and Strouts formed the foundation of Invicta’s counter-attacking threat. Slavi Spasov forced a simple save from Collins before Pigott did the same at the other end.

Thomas went to ground in the penalty area after 17 minutes but protests for a penalty were waved away by the referee.

The home side struck their first blow in the 20th minute after Leon Parillon cut in on the byline and found Spasov with a ball across the six yard box for the Bulgarian to finish at close range.

It took just seven minutes for Southend to double their advantage, a cross from the right finding Ben Goodliffe at the back post, the defender guiding a looping header back across goal and just inside the post.

Collins was forced into saves by Oli Coker and Andy Dallas to keep Invicta in the game, but a second from Spasov 10 minutes from the break would leave Invicta with a mountain to climb, the forward rising highest to head home a free kick from Harry Boyes.

Invicta came out after the break like a team possessed, determined to do the unthinkable and find another FA Cup comeback that would dwarf the 3-2 win at Horsham in the previous round. Now attacking the end housing the travelling supporters, Invicta’s aggressive approach raised the volume but another penalty appeal went unanswered, this time for a handball, and Finley Marjoram was unable to get on the end of a ball across the box from Strouts.

After riding out Invicta’s pressure, the hosts began to take control of the afternoon again as Boyes and Parillon both forced Collins into action near the hour mark. The Invicta keeper then made a brilliant double save to first deny Bridge and then substitute Tom Hopper from point blank range.

The Invicta fans were given their moment of celebration with a little over 15 minutes remaining. A corner from Thomas found the head of Lokko, Pigott then recycled the ball beyond the back post and played a one-two with substitute Mikey Berry before rifling his effort into the roof of the net.

Invicta supporters began to dream of a miracle, a reverse of what happened at Eastleigh in 2021, but Josh Walker killed all hope with an effort in the 82nd minute that struck Joel-Michael Odeniran and Lokko on its way beyond Collins.

Invicta hadn’t given up, with Jake Hutchinson unleashing a fierce effort that keeper Nick Hayes did well to parry onto the roof of the stand. But the task proved too much and Jay Saunders’ side saw this season’s FA Cup run come to an end. The players saluted the travelling supporters who serenaded them for their efforts.

Full focus is now on an upcoming double header as we prepare to return home to the Alcaline Stadium on Saturday for a huge clash at the top of the Isthmian Premier Division against visitors Dulwich Hamlet. A big crowd is expected for our first home game in six months, with tickets already selling fast. We advise supporters to purchase online in advance.

Before Saturday, supporters can catch a glimpse of Jay Saunders’ squad in action on our brand-new 3G pitch as we host an open training session on Tuesday evening. Starting at 6:30pm, supporters are welcome to join us with The Dugout Sport Bar open and serving their full menu as well as England v Latvia on our screens.