Folkestone Invicta had to settle for a point despite twice taking the lead through top goalscorer James Dryden on their first visit to a very wet Compton Place road on Saturday afternoon.

Heavy rain fell throughout the game and puddles formed on the pitch on what was a miserable afternoon weather-wise.

Dryden twice put Invicta ahead during the first half to make it three goals in two games since becoming the new captain following news of the club’s cash crisis.

But the home side twice came back to retrieve the situation.

Invicta made one change to the starting line up beaten 3-1 away to Cray Wanderers in midweek as local 23-year-old Kieran Byrne came in for his first senior start in place of substitute Josh Vincent, who had himself made his senior debut in midweek.

Dryden shot over with the visitors’ first attempt at goal in the seventh minute after a Byrne touch on the left.

And it was DRYDEN who opened the scoring in the 14th minute when he was there to convert in the middle after Tayler Thomas played an inviting ball in from the right following a good ball out wide from Micheal Everitt.

Thomas then shot at goalkeeper Russell Tanner a minute later following a touch from Dryden.

At the other end, Invicta centre half Frankie Chappell put the ball out for the game’s first corner in the 17th minute following a big kick from goalkeeper Tanner and fellow defender Liam Friend got across to block as Eastbourne won a second corner five minutes later.

A Danny Leach shot from distance was then well held by goalkeeper Charlie Mitten.

Invicta threatened again in the 37th minute when Byrne shot over from the left hand side of the penalty area following a move involving Everitt and James Corbett.

There was a scare for home left back Lloyd Anthony when he played the ball back dangerously close to his own goal for Invicta’s first corner of the game after 37 minutes when goalkeeper Tanner mis-cleared the ball towards Thomas.

But the home side drew level in the 40th minute courtesy of a well-struck 25-yard shot from Jamie SALVIDGE which flew into the Invicta goal.

A Leach shot was then blocked for a corner two minutes later following a one-two with Simon Catt down the right hand side.

Invicta restored their lead in the 44th minute when Friend (left) broke forward and played the ball out to Byrne on the left and his good ball in what met by a DRYDEN header.

But Eastbourne were level again within two minutes of the second half when striker Liam BAITUP volleyed in at the far post after a Leach cross from the right in a move also involving Salvidge.

As the rain came down even heavier, Invicta’s Jimmy Jackson broke through the middle and shot at goalkeeper Tanner in the 52nd minute.

Eastbourne substitute Kinglsey Parsons got in before Dryden to make a vital 62nd minute clearance at the expense of a corner when Thomas played the ball in from the right in a move started by Corbett.

And Byrne shot over after cutting in from the left hand side two minutes later when he collected the ball from Jackson.

For Eastbourne, Peter Cooper shot high and wide when the ball was played across to him on the right hand side in the 73rd minute.

Invicta were close in the 77th minute when Thomas dispossessed full back Anthony but played the ball back behind Byrne in the middle.

An 82nd minute Baitup shot was blocked in the Invicta penalty area, while Byrne shot at Tanner after combining with Thomas down the left.

There was a late scare for Invicta when Eastbourne substitute Ethan Strevett’s dangerous low cross from the right was cleared for a corner after 87 minutes.

EASTBOURNE TOWN: Tanner, Catt, Anthony, Cooper (Strevett 78 mins), Williams (Parsons 45 mins), Featherstone, Simmonds, Salvidge (Brockwell 73 mins), Baitup, Dicker, Leach. Unused subs: Francis, Barden.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Mitten, Lindsey, Burchell, Friend, Chappell, Byrne, M. Everitt, Thomas, Dryden, Corbett, Jackson. Unused subs: Towse, Vincent, Dix.

Attendance: 191.