Neil Cugley admits Saturday would be a fine time for Folkestone to end their frustrating away run as they face a potentially huge clash with Met Police.

Invicta boss Cugley was furious in the wake of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at title-chasing Needham Market, a game played on an atrocious playing surface in Suffolk and which saw Folkestone have an injury-time equaliser controversially disallowed after a second-half fightback.

He said: “The players gave me everything. We bombarded them in the second half and were the better side by a long way.

“They did brilliantly on a difficult surface and I felt sorry for them because they were robbed of a point they deserved.”

It was a first defeat in three on the road for Cugley’s side but they have taken just three points from their last 10 away games overall.

Cugley said: “Our away record is not good but we have become a good away team. We have some big games coming up. Saturday and then Leatherhead away on Wednesday night.

“Met Police have a nice pitch and hopefully we can go there and play a bit of football.”

Folkestone sit 13th the Ryman League, Premier Division, but just eight teams have better defensive records, while Invicta’s is also the ninth-best goal difference.

Cugley said: “Defensively, we have been good but we have actually been pretty good overall. I don’t think we are that far away."

Met Police are seven points adrift of Invicta and occupy the final relegation place.

Sam Hasler served the final game of his five-match ban, while Cugley has also been boosted by the news that striker Ian Draycott has been given the OK to return to action after hand surgery.