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The hosts failed to carry their excellent recent cup competition form back to the league, succumbing to defeat against table-topping Invicta with an 81st minute Simon Austin strike.
After a subdued opening quarter of an hour, Leafe keeper Rob O’Hara made a fine point-blank save to deny Darren Smith a headed goal on 18 minutes. Shortly after, the home side’s in form winger Sam Butler had two shots saved in quick succession by the alert Jack Delo in the Folkestone goal, whilst in reply left-back Josh Burchell hit two fierce drives from distance, each narrowly wide of O’Hara’s left-hand post.
Whyteleafe’s best opportunity came on 28 minutes when midfielder Daryl Coleman rose to head a perfect Butler corner narrowly over the bar when well placed to do better. The visitors grew stronger and shortly before the break Ryan Royston was forced to make a timely block to deny forward Peter Williams a shot on goal.
The second half saw little incident with a goalless draw looking increasingly the most likely outcome. Leafe’s Leon McDowall, returning to fine form once again after a lengthy spell out injured, ran down the right wing on 67 minutes, cut inside and fired a left-foot drive from the edge of the area, narrowly over the bar.
It was Austin who sealed the win for Invicta on 81 minutes meeting a fine cross from the left wing by Darren Smith to fire past O’Hara from ten yards out.
Folkestone cemented their spot at the top of the table whilst Leafe Manager Stuart Massey was left pondering how to build some consistency in his side’s league form as a two game a week schedule threatens to stretch his squad of players still further.
Whyteleafe: O’Hara, Aldous, Coleman D (Sidwell 70), Oakins, Coleman R, Royston, Goodchild, Hammond (Conroy 80), McDowall, Wilson, Butler. Subs not used: Fleming, Duff, Dilley