Folkestone Invicta had to settle for a third successive draw as they were held to a goalless draw by ten-men Eastbourne Town amid windy conditions at The Saffrons on Saturday afternoon.

Home goalkeeper Keiron Thorp thwarted the Folkestone side with several second half saves and the final corner count of 10-0 in the visitors’ favour highlighted the balance of play.

Eastbourne striker Kai Bichard was sent off for two yellow cards, leaving his side to play the final half an hour with ten men. The first came for a 22nd minute kick at central defender Liam Friend after an earlier foul on Micheal Eveirtt and Bichard was then sent off in the 60th minute after a challenge on Frankie Chappell.

It was the third successive Saturday that at least one member of the home side had been dismissed in a match involving Invicta and all three games have finished as draws.

The game’s other main talking point came deep into stoppage time when home substitute Aaron Hopkinson was booked for ‘simulation’ as he went down inside the penalty area.

The strong wind was a factor throughout and there were few chances in the first half.

Stuart King did not make the most of a 16th minute free kick when he curled over after a foul by Matt Geard on Invicta captain Micheal Everitt right on the edge of the penalty area.

Thorp made a 29th minute reflex save to claw away a James Everitt header after a Josh Burchell free kick on the right flank.

As well as Bichard, Eastbourne’s Scott Kirkwood (foul on Darren Marsden) and captain Nick Fogden (foul on James Everitt) were also booked during the first half.

Thorp started his second half heroics in the 51st minute when he touched over a good Darren Smith strike from outside the penalty area.

Goalkeeper Thorp then pushed the ball over the bar to keep out a James Everitt shot seven minutes later after King played the ball up to his striking partner.

Bichard’s dismissal then gave Invicta numerical advantage and Thorp had to touch over Invicta goalkeeper Jack Delo’s subsequent wind-assisted free kick for another corner.

Invicta went three at the back as Antonio Gonnella replaced left back Liam Dickson. Gonnella has returned to the club from Concord Rangers after a brief spell at Invicta last January.

Thorp made arguably his best save in the 70th minute to keep out a strong Chappell header at the expense of a corner after a Smith free kick.

And Thorp came to the home side’s rescue again in the 78th minute when he touched the ball over the bar when Smith burst through after a King touch.

Chappell was close from the subsequent corner and James Everitt shot wide two minutes later when Marsden and King combined to play the ball forward to him.

Burchell headed an 86th minute Smith cross from the right wide at the far post when Gonnella played the ball out wide.

And Burchell had an 88th minute shot cleared off the line by Fogden.

Eastbourne did not have a shot on target throughout the game and did not win a single corner but they threatened to steal the points when Hopkinson broke down the right hand side but only got a booking for his efforts as he went down with Chappell in close proximity.

Invicta substitute Gonnella had also been booked for a stoppage time challenge on Steve May.

The Folkestone side had scored in their previous 18 matches in all competitions but could not find a way past Thorp here.

EASTBOURNE TOWN: Thorp, Davidson, Storrie, Elliot, Fogden, May, Curd (Hopkinson 83 mins), Kirkwood (Denton 75 mins), Bichard, N. Crabb, Geard (S. Crabb 71 mins). Unused subs: Kessack, Graves.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Delo, Vincent, Burchell, Friend, Chappell, Dickson (Gonnella 64 mins), Smith, Marsden (Austin 90 mins), J. Everitt, King, M. Everitt. Unused subs: Mortimer, Hayward.

Attendance: 134.