Joe Pigott’s penalty maintained an unbeaten National League South start for Folkestone as they pegged back Chelmsford on Saturday.
The Essex club went ahead in first-half injury time through striker Leo Sery but, early in the second period, 32-year-old forward Pigott converted from the spot as it ended 1-1 at Cheriton Road.
It continued Invicta’s bright start to life at Step 2, which has seen them earn five points from three matches.
Inside 30 seconds, Clarets defender Harry Barbrook flashed a left-wing delivery across goal before Sery glanced midfielder Jack Bridge’s cross just wide of goalkeeper Ted Collins’ right-hand post.
But Folkestone should have broken the deadlock when the recalled Alejandro Machado cut out a bad pass by keeper Alfie Marriott. The Spaniard played in forward Donell Thomas, whose curling shot crashed against Marriott’s left-hand post.
The 18th minute brought opportunities at either end as Aaron Cosgrave tested Marriott while Sery blasted over from around 20 yards out for Mark Cooper’s men.
Midway through the first period, Chelmsford were thwarted by excellent defending by Ben Mason. Collins got his fingertips to Denzelle Olopade's effort and, although there appeared a visiting player waiting to tap home, he was beaten to the ball by the hosts' wing-back.
Folkestone forward Pigott then failed to hit the target from a Thomas free-kick with 35 minutes played. Five minutes later, Marriott was equal to the latter’s deflected strike.
As Jay Saunders’ side finished the half strongly, Machado's left-footed drive flew inches wide of Marriott's left-hand post.
But the Clarets drew first blood in first-half injury time when Sery got a faint touch to Ricky Holmes’ delivery ahead of an on-rushing Collins to find the net.
But just four minutes after the break, Folkestone equalised. Pigott sent Marriott the wrong way for his second goal this season, with referee Tom Ellsmore having given a penalty for an adjudged handball by defender Nathan Ralph as he charged down Mason’s attempted cross.
The next chance of real note saw away substitute Kian Ronan blast over the crossbar from distance on 65 minutes.
Eight minutes later, a long throw fell kindly for Adam Lovatt at the far post, only for Lovatt to blaze over.
The same player again went close in the third minute of five of stoppage time from substitute Harvey Kedwell’s through ball, which was well collected by Marriott.
The hosts had made three switches from the side that played out a midweek 1-1 derby draw at Maidstone United.
They saw defender Liam Smith, alongside midfielders Kedwell and Alex Woodyard, get replaced by Machado, Lovatt and Reggie Young in the home starting line-up.
The visitors’ line-up included veteran midfielder Holmes - who enjoyed a brief stint as Dover player-assistant in 2023 and also had a loan spell at Gillingham - alongside midfielder Olopade, who was a summer signing from Dartford.
Invicta will travel to Slough next weekend before, two days later, they host Hemel Hempstead.
Folkestone Invicta: Collins, Mason, Fielding, Lokko, Machado, Thomas (Kedwell 71mins), Cosgrave (West 80mins), Quick, Lovatt, Young, Pigott. Subs not used: Ajuchi, Smith, Strouts, Woodyard.
Chelmsford City: Marriott, Barbrook, Tompkins, Ralph, Sery, Holmes (Ronan 60mins), Miley (Odiase 45mins), Egbo, May, Bridge, Olopade. Subs not used: Eastwood, Dunne, Protsenko.
Referee: Tom Ellsmore.
Attendance: 1,120.
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