Folkestone Invicta 2 Dartford 2 match report: Two-goal Callum Jones does damage for Darts in first half, with debutant Nathan Paul-Lavaly and Joe Pigott replying for Isthmian Premier leaders Invicta

It finished honours even as Isthmian Premier leaders Folkestone Invicta and play-off chasing Dartford shared the derby-day spoils from an eventful match on Saturday.

The Darts found themselves ahead at half-time, two-goal Callum Jones doing the damage, with his brace being sandwiched between a goal from Invicta’s impressive Bromley loanee debutant Nathan Paul-Lavaly.

Folkestone missed a penalty through top scorer Jake Hutchinson but, just minutes later, fellow forward Joe Pigott levelled things up again as it ended 2-2 at Cheriton Road.

Within four minutes, Jay Saunders’ side created the first chance in front of another excellent crowd.

Hutchinson did fantastically and crossed from the right but Paul-Lavaly, who has joined for the rest of this season, saw his goal-bound effort get deflected over the crossbar.

Dartford threatened for the first time when 13-goal top scorer Olly Box curled his 20-yard strike straight at keeper Ted Collins on 13 minutes.

Seconds later, Hutchinson found himself in space, only for his lob to land inches wide of Jonny Henly’s right-hand post.

And the away team broke the deadlock with 21 minutes played.

Defender Joel-Michael Odeniran was unlucky to see his attempted headed clearance hit straight against Dan Smith and, while his drive was saved by Collins, Jones stroked into the empty net.

The hosts came close to an instant reply but Henly was equal to a curling shot by 32-year-old Pigott.

Folkestone captain Kevin Lokko then was the victim of an unfortunate bounce that presented Jones with another opportunity, which 23-year-old Collins could tip away.

The home team equalised shortly before the half-hour mark when Paul-Lavaly, 19, blasted into the roof of the net after Pigott had played him in with a nice pass from midfield.

They were level for a mere matter of minutes, though. Jones doubled his tally for the afternoon when he made the most of a centre from the left flank and thrashed past Collins to find the top corner for the Darts once again.

Folkestone could have equalised again as Hutchinson and Pigott made the most of a big kick by Collins. But the latter fired over when many expected the net to bulge.

Ady Pennock’s men went close again just before half-time, only for Dan Carter to miss the target after he had done well to bring the ball forward from midfield.

With their first second-half opportunity, the hosts wasted a chance to equalise with a penalty.

Referee Simon Cutler pointed to the spot, Smith having hauled down Odeniran from a corner, only for Henly to save a third penalty in a row. The 31-year-old dived to his left to keep out Hutchinson’s shot.

But Folkestone made it 2-2 just two minutes later.

They could have won another penalty, as well, for a handball from an effort by Odeniran, 20, but the loose ball fell kindly for Pigott. He stroked in his 17th goal of the campaign.

With 10 minutes left to play, referee Mr Cutler dismissed visiting penalty protests for a challenge by goalkeeper Collins on prolific substitute Eddie Dsane.

Invicta twice went close themselves when a half-volley from substitute Ryan Kingsford was tipped over by Henly before the resultant 87th-minute corner landed narrowly wide of Henly’s right-hand post.

Dsane thought he should have been awarded a free-kick at the end of six minutes of stoppage time but, instead, referee Mr Cutler blew the full-time whistle.

The result means Folkestone require three more wins from their last seven games to be crowned champions while the sixth-placed Darts are five points away from the play-off places.

Invicta had handed a debut to Paul-Lavaly. He came in for Montel McKenzie while Donell Thomas replaced Kingsford in midfield, with defender Liam Smith serving the final match of his two-game suspension.

For Pennock’s Darts, they named an unchanged team from the one that were 1-0 midweek winners at Cheshunt. Keeper Henly and striker Smith were each at Cheriton Road last term.

Folkestone will visit Brentwood in a top-of-the-table contest next weekend while the Darts host Lewes.

Folkestone Invicta: Collins, Mason, Odeniran, Lokko, Hutchinson, Thomas (Kingsford 75mins), Pigott, Lovatt, Paul-Lavaly (Strouts 61mins), Woodyard (Dolan 95mins), German. Subs not used: Earle, Berry.

Dartford: Henly, Okoye, Odaudu (Williams 71mins) Whitefield, Jones, Olopade, Smith (Dsane 78mins), Box, Carter (Vaughan 69mins), Pinder (McLeod 69mins), Olarewaju. Sub not used: Oviawe.

Referee: Simon Cutler.

Attendance: 1,488.