Folkestone Invicta 1-2 Canvey Island

Bottom-of-the-table Folkestone Invicta were beaten again as they went down 2-1 at home to ten-men Canvey Island who move up into the play-off places after taking all three points on their first competitive visit to the Buzzlines Stadium on Tuesday night.

Goals either side of half time from strikers Jason Hallett and Danny Heale put Canvey firmly in the driving seat before James Everitt pulled a goal back from the penalty spot and Canvey's Andrew West was sent off to set up an exciting finish.

Invicta kept the same starting eleven that had drawn 1-1 on Saturday at home to Billericay, another Essex club aiming to reach the play-offs.

But it was the visitors who started well as left back Ashley Dumas shot at goalkeeper Jack Delo in the eighth minute.

A weak header by Frankie Chappell then let Hallett in four minutes later but the Invicta central defender recovered to get back and clear off the line.

There were chances at both ends on the quarter of an hour mark as Darren Smith got back to thwart Kevin Dobinson when he threatened to get through and Josh Burchell won a corner with a shot from the left hand side.

Visiting goalkeeper James Russell then made an excellent save to keep out a James Everitt header from Smith's subsequent corner.

Delo saved with his feet to deny Heale at the expense of a corner in the 17th minute when Rob King set up another opening down the left.

The pacy Alex Rhodes was given on-side down the left in the 21st minute and top goalscorer King headed over when he got in the box to meet the subsequent cross.

And Canvey broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when a Rhodes cross from the left was met by a slight touch from HALLETT into the far corner of the net.

Invicta's luck was again out during first half stoppage time when a Burchell cross was headed against the outside of the post by Smith and out for a goal kick when it looked like being an equaliser.

The home side had another forward for the second half as Gary Lockyer replaced captain Micheal Everitt.

But Canvey increased their lead in the 50th minute when HEALE found the net after being put through down the middle by striking partner Hallett.

Invicta responded as an Everitt shot was pushed round the post for a corner by goalkeeper Russell.

And the home side was thrown a lifeline when Canvey right back west impeded Everitt when he was put through by striking partner James Dryden and the visitors were reduced to ten men as Invicta were awarded a penalty.

EVERITT promptly converted the 55th minute spot kick to make it 2-1.

Everitt has now scored in three consecutive matches in eight days, twice from the penalty spot. Having struggled to score goals for most of the season, Invicta have now scored in each of their last 11 Ryman Premier League matches.

Invicta now had high hopes of saving the day and Russell made a one-handed save to deny Josh Vincent on the hour mark.

A 62nd minute Burchell shot then flashed wide across goal from the left hand side as it was well and truly game on.

Canvey re-organised as they took off goalscorers Hallett and Heale and left substitute Jay Curran to lead the line.

Invicta defender Chappell moved forward to join the attack for the closing stages as the home side continued to go in search of an equaliser.

An 83rd minute Chappell shot was blocked after a free kick on the left and another Chappell shot was blocked in a crowded goalmouth three minutes later when Everitt played the ball in from the right in a move started by Burchell.

Canvey remained a threat on the break and Delo saved with his feet to deny Curran when the substitute was set up in a central position when a Dumas throw down the left sent Rhodes free away in space.

Invicta goalscorer Everitt was booked for an 80th minute challenge on Rhodes.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Delo, Vincent, Burchell, Friend, Chappell, Edge, M. Everitt (Lockyer 45 mins), Dickson (Webb 75 mins), J. Everitt, Dryden, Smith. Unused subs: Guiver, Jackson, Hulme.

CANVEY ISLAND: Russell, West, Dumas, Dobinson, Ailele, Easterford, King, Game, Hallett (Curran 62 mins), Heale (Everett 68 mins), Rhodes. Unused subs: Gordon, Skidmore, Kerrigan.

Attendance: 188.