Hastings United 2-2 Folkestone Invicta

Two goals from midfielder Darren Smith - one penalty - helped Invicta climb one place in the Ryman Premier League with a well earned point at Hastings on Tuesday evening. Report here.

An 89th minute penalty from Darren Smith rescued a point for Folkestone Invicta in Tuesday night's relegation six-pointer against Hastings United after Neil Cugley's side had trailed 2-1 in a game they could have put out of the home side's reach in the opening quarter of an hour alone.

Hastings had gone into the game on the back of 11 successive defeats in all competitions. The point takes them out of the relegation zone, on place above Invicta on goal difference as just one point separates the bottom five in the Ryman Premier League, with four going down.

Bottom-of-the table Croydon Athletic were unlucky to have their game at Horsham abandoned due to fog when they were leading 2-0.

Despite the late equaliser, Invicta will themselves see this as two points dropped after their dominant start and a late stoppage time chance for substitute Luke Webb that was saved by goalkeeper Scott Chalmers-Stevens.

Invicta's top goalscorer Smith had opened the scoring in the 16th minute and the visitors were in complete control until Russell Eldridge brought Hastings level in the 35th minute.

Sam Adams then put Hastings ahead with a 73rd minute penalty to give Hastings hopes of ending their dismal run that has seen them win just once in 22 games and twice in 27 games since an unbeaten five-match start to the season.

But Smith's late equaliser gave Invicta a desperately needed share of the spoils.

Invicta went into the game at The Pilot Field with the same starting elven that had played on Saturday, with Simon Austin again partnering James Everitt in attack, with James Dryden on the substitutes' bench.

And the visitors began to create chances right from the start as Austin shot just over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area in the opening minute.

A Smith shot was then cleared off the line in the third minute when Austin played the ball across from the right as Invicta threatened again.

Eldridge put in a couple of early crosses from the left for Hastings, the first of which was gathered by Invicta goalkeeper Jack Delo and the second cleared by central defender Liam Friend.

But it was Invicta who looked like scoring as Austin tried his luck again from distance but goalkeeper Chalmers-Stevens held his tenth minute shot and the ball broke for Austin again seconds later and he chipped just over the crossbar.

Austin then shot against the post in the 14th minute when Josh Burchell raced past Ollie Rowe down the left and then played in a dangerous low ball in a move started by Roland Edge and Micheal Everitt.

And just as Invicta were wondering how they were not ahead the visitors capitalised on an error from home centre half Sean Ray and Austin squared the ball to SMITH who found the net.

Hastings responded as Ross Stanton ran forward in the 20th minute and his low shot was deflected for the game's first corner.

At the other end, Chalmers-Stevens saved from Edge in the 26th minute when Austin guided a Josh Vincent cross from the right into the player-coach's path.

New striker Lewis Perkins headed wide for Hastings in the 29th minute when Harry Beautyman crossed from the left.

But Hastings were in disarray again a minute later when Chalmers-Steven fluffed his clearance after Austin was allowed to get in behind the home defence from a Delo clearance.

But the home side were level out of the blue when ELDRIDGE rifled in an equaliser with a well-struck shot after the ball had come back out to him on the edge of the penalty area.

Hastings were now back in the game and a Beautyman shot was blocked for a corner by Invicta defender Frankie Chappell two minutes later.

A deep cross from Beautyman on the left then came back off the top of the Invicta crossbar and out for a goal kick in the 40th minute and Chappell then had to get across to clear from Beautyman after a ball over the Invicta defence before half time.

James Everitt shot harmlessly wide in the 49th minute when a ball over the Hastings defence put Austin through down the middle.

A 55th minute Beautyman shot was then deflected for a corner when George Potter touched the ball on and Perkins let a cross from the right run.

Vincent then had a shot saved by Chalmers-Stevens a minute later when Robbie Kember played the ball out to James Everitt on the right hand side.

It was a more even game now as Austin shot over when Edge played the ball across from the left and Delo comfortably saved a Perkins shot.

Beautyman headed wide after a 65th minute cross from the right.

And Invicta had further chances of their own as Chalmers-Stevens got across to keep out a Kember shot after Burchell had touched the ball to him when Austin broke down the right hand side after a pass from substitute Dryden.

Dryden himself then went close as Chalmers-Stevens made a good far post save to keep out the striker's header after Chappell had met a Smith free kick with a strong header of his own.

But Invicta fell behind when Chappell was penalised for a challenge on Beautyman and ADAMS drilled the penalty into the corner of the net.

Invicta had a good chance to equalise in the 81st minute when substitute Webb shot wide across goal after Smith had put him clear down the left hand side.

Beautyman threatened to capitalise on an under hit 88th minute Friend back pass to Delo as it was Invicta's turn to look uncertain.

But there was to be a lifeline as Sutton had his arms all over Austin and SMITH scored from the penalty spot for the second successive game to make it 12 goals for the season.

As Invicta chased a late late winner Vincent could not quite get enough power to guide the ball past Chalmers-Stevens after a free kick into a crowded penalty area.

And Webb missed his big chance when Chalmers-Stevens made a good save for a corner after Chappell had fed him an inviting pass to the left in a move started by Vincent.

Having themselves won just one of their seven matches in 2011, Invicta will view this as an opportunity missed.

Hastings substitute Ben Davisson was the game's only booking for a 77th minute foul on Vincent.

HASTINGS UNITED: Chalmers-Stevens, Rowe, Sutton, Hall, Ray, Jirbandey, Adams, Beautyman, Perkins (Davisson 62 mins), Potter, Eldridge (Olorunda 83 mins). Unused subs: Manning, Storrie, Newman.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Delo, Vincent, Burchell (Webb 80 mins), Friend, Chappell, Edge, Kember (Guiver 81 mins), M. Everitt, Austin, J. Everitt (Dryden 64 mins), Smith. Unused subs: Dickson, Humphrey.

Attendance: 287.

Author: Richard Murrill