Folkestone Invicta went out of the Isthmian (Ryman League) Cup after going down 2-1 at home to Tilbury in Tuesday night’s Second Round tie at the Buzzlines Stadium.

Invicta trailed 2-0 at half time before substitute Joe Neilson pulled a goal back and the home side missed several chances to save the day right up until the final whistle.

Liam Friend shot against the crossbar during stoppage time and a Kieran Byrne shot then flashed across goal but wide of the far post from the left hand side of the penalty area.

Invicta had defender Friend (right) back from suspension and also started with Darren Smith, a new signing from Chatham Town.

But Tilbury made a positive start as Chris Stowe broke down the left hand side and shot into the side netting in the third minute.

At the other end, Invicta centre half Frankie Chappell headed over an 11th minute Jimmy Jackson corner from the right hand side.

A 17th minute Rashid Karmara shot was saved by the feet of Invicta goalkeeper Charlie Mitten and Joe Keith then shot against the crossbar from the left hand side of the penalty area as the visitors threatened again three minutes later.

Invicta captain James Dryden headed over a 23rd minute Jackson corner from the right.

But Tilbury were ahead within a minute as Michael BLACK hit a low shot into the net when captain Jamie Wallace put him through.

Inivcta responded and visiting defender Junior Baker just about deflected a Friend cross from the left into the arms of goalkeeper Andy Hall.

But Tilbury increased their lead in the 28th minute courtesy of a sweet strike from KARMARA who picked his spot and found the corner of the net.

It was proving to be a frustrating first half for Invicta as Dryden volleyed wide and a 335th minute Jackson cross-shot skimmed the crossbar when Dryden nodded on a deep James Everitt ball from the right.

Smith’s re-appearance in Invicta colours after a previous spell in 2002-03 came to a premature end as he was replaced by Neilson after suffering an accidental kick in the face from goalkeeper Hall.

Tilbury had further chances at the end of the first half as Mitten saved a deflected Keith shot and Wallace got on the end of a Keith cross from the left but could only volley across goal.

It was a different story after the interval as Invicta started the second half with a succession of corners.

A Dryden shot was cleared by a defender close to the line for another Jackson corner on the left.

Tilbury goalkeeper Hall then made an excellent double save to first keep out a Dryden shot and then get across to save James Everitt’s follow up.

Defender Liam Dickson volleyed over after a corner on the right.

Top goalscorer Stowe missed a clear 59th minute chance to increase his side’s lead when he shot over from close range after shrugging off Chappell and moving in on goal.

But Invicta were themselves close when Dryden shot against the post on the hour after James Everitt (left) put him through.

NEILSON, though, did reduce the deficit in the 62nd minute when his shot crossed the line despite the efforts of defender Danny Smith to clear after fellow substitute Josh Vincent had latched onto another James Everitt ball forward.

It was Neilson’s first appearance back at the Buzzlines Stadium after re-joining Invicta from neighbours Hythe Town.

As Invicta chased an equaliser on a cold night, Dryden headed a cross from the left wide in the 90th minute.

And Invicta came desperately close to forcing an extra half hour with Friend and Byrne’s late near misses.

Tilbury’s Stowe was the game’s only booking.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Mitten, J. Everitt, Friend, Dickson, Chappell, M. Everitt, Thomas (Vincent 45 mins), Byrne, Dryden, Smith (Neilson 40 mins), Jackson. Unused subs: Driscoll, Rainbow, Conyers.

TILBURY: Hall, Smith, Baker, Hayles (Fontaine 62 mins), Barrett, Wallace (Olademi 71 mins), Cohen, Black, Karmara, Stowe, Keith. Unused subs: Robson, Reading, Gaskin.

Attendance: 115.