The hosts took the lead in the first half through a close-range Junior Dadson finish, and seemed to be cruising when Alex Read doubled the lead in the second half.

The Hawks collapsed with just minutes left to play, conceding twice as Folkestone Invicta clawed a point from the game.

The game started with a fast tempo, with the home side first to ask some questions early on. Ibrahima Sonko’s header was cleared away by the defender Liam Friend, preventing it from testing keeper Tim Roberts.

It was a bright start from the Hawks, who had the lion share of the possession early on and were making their opponents drop very deep in the opening stages. Despite Harlow’s strong start, they were undone on nine minutes and were lucky not to be behind.

Jordan Wright beat the offside trap and crossed for Frankie Chappell. His left foot first timed volley was smothered by goalkeeper David Hughes at point blank range, before pouncing on the loose ball. It was a massive chance gone for the visitors considering the early run of play, but a superb save nonetheless by Hughes ensuring the score remained goalless early on.

The first goal of the game came on 17 minutes with a fantastic counter attack goal from Harlow. Jared Small tracked back to retrieve possession before sending a glorious ball down the right for the Alex Read, who had beaten the offside trap. The striker darted towards the byline before crossing towards the onrushing Junior Dadson to tap home for close range.

It could've been two moments later, when the impressive Syrus Gordon, who put in a real shift in midfield, sent a rasping drive which flew slightly over the bar and wide.

Folkestone’s Ian Draycott, who has 13 goals in this campaign, dragged a shot wide after latching onto a route one pass from captain Liam Field.

Craig Pope had a shot blocked, before Junior Dadson blazed over looking to double his tally.

HT: Harlow Town 1-0 Folkestone Invicta

The visitors came out of the blocks quickly in the opening stages of the second half, a lovely
chipped ball from Draycott found midfielder Miles Cornwell. His shot was poor and didn’t get the best connection trickling wide of the goal.

Ian Draycott dragged another shot wide for the visitors on 65 minutes after a neat knockdown by strike partner Joseph Taylor.

On 66 minutes, in a blink of an eye Harlow doubled their advantage. Alex Read picked up the ball some 25 yards out of goal and with nothing much on struck a speculative effort which beat the keeper and found the bottom corner.

It could have been well and truly over on 75 minutes, if Craig Pope kept his shot down after good wing play from Jared Small.

Substitute Khale da Costa was inches away from scoring with his first touch, but he couldn’t get on the end of Syrus Gordon’s dangerous free kick.

The visitors had somewhat looked bereft of ideas since going two goals down, and didn’t
look like getting back in the game. However on 88 minutes they did manage to halve the deficit when substitute Ashley Miller, weaving in and out the defenders’ tackles, pulled it back for fellow substitute Euan Sahadow to score

There was still some more late drama to be witnessed at the Arena as into stoppage time, Folkestone drew back level out in a dramatic twist. Callum Davis the provider, he teed up Miles Cornwell who made amends from his earlier chance by bulleting a header into the roof of the net.

Harlow had blown a two goal lead right at the end and will look to make amends when the two teams both do battle again on Saturday.

FT: Harlow Town 2-2 Folkestone Invicta
ATTENDANCE: 177