Richard Atkins was Folkestone Invicta’s hero as his 15th minute goal proved enough to beat Metropolitan Police in Saturday’s F. A. Carlsberg First Qualifying Round tie at the Buzzlines Stadium.

22-year-old striker ATKINS drilled a good finish into the net after being put through by striking partner James Everitt to score on successive Saturdays since his return from a broken collarbone.

In the three matches since Atkins’ return, Invicta have scored ten and conceded none in three different competitions over eight days.

Invicta also had goalkeeper Jack Delo to thank for an excellent point blank reflex save to deny Met Police substitute Nick Gonsalves deep into stoppage time.

Ryman Premier League club Met Police came to Folkestone with their squad stretched to the limit, while Invicta brought Liam Dickson in at left back, with Roland Edge moving up into midfield and Simon Austin (unwell) again missing out.

Met Police had won the Ryman League Division One South last season but were beaten by the same 1-0 scoreline that had given Invicta victory in both matches between the two clubs in their own promotion-winning season of 2009-10.

A second minute Dickson free kick from the left flew just in front of diving striker Everitt in the middle as Invicta got off to a good start.

A 14th minute Edge shot was then blocked by Ron Edwards when James Everitt played the ball back after a Darren Smith corner on the left.

And Atkins’ goal soon followed a minute later.

Big Met Police striker Staforde Palmer fell over inside the penalty area when Tony Finn found him in space during the 19th minute.

Palmer was then booked by referee Stuart Franklin a minute later for persistent dissent after his foul-mouthed tirade at the referee was audible all around the ground.

The visitors’ Tyron Smith then hit a 25th minute shot from outside the penalty area at Delo.

But Invicta threatened again in the 40th minute when a well-struck shot from captain Micheal Everitt flew just over the crossbar.

At the other end, Palmer could not get enough power on his shot to beat Delo after a ball from Edwards.

Invicta, though, finished the first half strongly, as Smith hooked the ball towards goal after a Micheal Everitt touch in the penalty area during stoppage time and Frankie Chappell met a Smith corner seconds before the interval.

Invicta central defender Liam Friend as making his 250th starting appearance for the club and blocked a 57th minute shot from striker Carl Wilson-Denis after a great run from Sam Hurrell down the left.

Palmer did not make the most of his headed chance on the hour mark when given on-side after a Danny Allen-Page dross from the right.

Invicta then lost Josh Burchell to injury as they closed in on victory.

Chappell headed at Met Police goalkeeper Jamie Butler in the 78th minute after a Smith free kick when Edwards fouled Josh Vincent on the right.

Invicta had penalty appeals waved away in the 88th minute when James Everitt went down under challenge from Duran Reynolds.

There was then the heart in mouth moment when the ball fell to Gonsalves in a central position inside the penalty area but Delo came out to make his vital save at the expense of a corner.

As well as Palmer, there were bookings for Invicta’s Friend and Met Police’s Allen-Page.

FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Delo, Vincent, Burchell (Moreby 72 mins), Friend, Chappell, Edge, Smith, Atkins, J. Everitt, Dickson, M. Everitt. Unused subs: Mortimer, Jackson, Hayward.

METROPOLITAN POLICE: Butler, Allen-Page, Reynolds, Hurrell, Jeffrey, Edwards, Morris (Sheldon 57 mins), Smith (Gonsalves 74 mins), Palmer, Wilson-Denis, Finn. Unused subs: Cuthbert, Duggins, Man.

Attendance: 202.