Folkestone Invicta remain unbeaten and top of the Ryman League Division One South and kept a sixth clean sheet in seven league matches from the start of the season, but did not get the three points they had been looking for at Chipstead on Saturday afternoon.

The nearest both sides came to breaking the deadlock occurred either side of half time as Invicta goalkeeper Jack Delo saved a penalty from Chipstead captain Gareth Graham during first half stoppage time and Josh Burchell hit the underside of the crossbar for the visitors in the 48 th minute at the High Road.

Both clubs have had contrasting starts to the season as Invicta's unbeaten start has taken them to the top of the table, while Chipstead have yet to win a league game so far this season but have only conceded nine goals in their seven matches.

With Invicta only having scored eight league goals from their seven matches, perhaps another low scoring encounter was to be expected.

Both sides made changes as they looked to bounce back from F. A. Cup setbacks the previous weekend.

With Jimmy Jackson unfit with a foot injury, Invicta brought defender Liam Dickson in for a first start of the season at left back in a 4-4-2 formation, with Burchell pushing forward into midfield and new signing Dean Grant coming in for a first start.

Michael Yianni started on the substitutes' bench but was called into action before half time after an injury to James Dryden.

Centre half Louis Hollinsworth headed over with an eighth minute chance for the home side after a free kick from the right.

But Invicta striker Dryden had a couple of chances in the 15 th minute as the visitors threatened. Dryden first let fly with a spectacular strike which was held by home goalkeeper Martin Grant when defender Matt Crane made a mess of dealing with a Darren Smith ball forward.

And Dryden then headed wide when Burchell put the ball in with his right foot after Smith had played the ball out to the left flank.

Dryden then couldn't quite force the ball over the line in the 22 nd minute when Crane and goalkeeper Grant got in each other's way after another Burchell cross.

But Dryden's involvement in the game was curtailed when he injured his knee falling after heading over Dickson's 28 th minute cross from the left hand side.

Chipstead striker Kofi Quartey could not get the ball under control when given onside to a Nathan Campbell cross from the right in the 35 th minute as it went out for a goal kick.

At the other end, a 42 nd minute Yianni shot lacked sufficient power when a Josh Vincent throw from the right came back out.

Burchell then got in behind the home defence three minutes later to meet a Grant ball in from the right, but couldn't quite go round goalkeeper Grant in a move started by Smith.

But the home side were given the chance to open the scoring during first half stoppage time when referee G. Kane pointed to the penalty spot as goalkeeper Delo was adjudged to have brought Ray Freeman down out wide after a ball forward from Graham.

Delo though got across to his right hand side to make a good save to keep out Graham's subsequent spot kick.

There was still time for Chipstead left back Chris Head to hit a low shot just wide of the post after getting into the penalty area before half time.

Delo got up to keep out a Nicky White chip at the start of the second half, but it was Invicta who were desperately close in the 48 th minute when Burchell hit a great strike against the underside of the crossbar after a Smith ball and Yianni was denied by a last ditch tackle by White.

White was involved again in the 64 th minute when he curled a well-struck shot at Delo but it lacked enough power to trouble the Invicta goalkeeper after a Campbell ball.

Burchell dropped back to his usual left back when Billy Somerville replaced Dickson midway through the second half.

But the visitors had Delo to thank again in the 74 th minute when he made a great save to push substitute Micky Collins' shot over the crossbar.

Invicta were themselves close again a minute later when a Liam Friend ball picked Yianni out, but home goalkeeper Grant made a good save and Crane cleared the danger from close to the line.

The game had opened up as Invicta centre half Frankie Chappell got in to make a saving 76 th minute tackle when Neil John threaded the ball through towards fellow substitute Collins.

An 85 th minute Collins shot from the edge of the penalty area was then comfortably dealt with by Delo.

Invicta went straight down the other end and substitute Jon Driscoll missed his chance to grab the headline as he headed a Grant ball in from the right wide after captain Micheal Everitt played the ball out to the flank.

Chipstead centre half Hollingsworth then intercepted substitute Somerville's cross from the right towards Driscoll as Invicta could not find the elusive breakthrough and debate ensued as to whether it was an away point gained or two dropped.

There were bookings for Chpistead's Wayne Grizzle, Crane and substitute Collins.

CHIPSTEAD : Grant, Campbell, Head, Crane, Hollingsworth, White, Graham (Aslan 67 mins), Wilfort, Quartey (John 57 mins), Grizzle (Collins 72 mins), Freeman. Unused subs : Chatterway, Mathews.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA : Delo, Vincent, Dickson (Somerville 70 mins), Friend, Chappell, M. Everitt, Smith, Grant, Dryden (Yianni 31 mins), Cory (Driscoll 80 mins), Burchell. Unused sub : Egan.

Attendance : 107.