AN excellent rear-guard action from Billericay Town helped see off the challenge of Folkestone Invicta and earn a seventh straight win.

A first-half goal from Greg Cundle, his second in two games, proved enough against the Kent side in an encounter that rarely sparked to life.

Folkestone’s Carl Rook had the first shot of the evening after just 40 seconds following a fortuitous bounce but goalkeeper Jack Giddens fielded the scuffed strike comfortably.

However, Town had not started well and were indebted to Conor Hubble with five minutes on the clock, as he made a fine headed clearance on the goal-line from Francis Chappell.

Town were growing into the match, and it was no surprise that Quentin Monville provided the spark they needed as he cut inside but bent an effort inches wide of the far post.

Rook missed a golden chance after a defensive mix-up before Town, marginally against the run of play, took the lead.

Neat interplay down the right saw the ball fed into Gillingham loanee Cundle and he powered home for his second for the club on 20 minutes.

Giddens was struggling with a knock that would surely have seen him substituted had Town had a replacement goalkeeper on their bench.

But Ricky Sappleton and Alex Stephenson were providing good cover in front of their goalkeeper as Folkestone began to grow frustrated, resulting in several yellow cards.

Sappleton had a half chance early in the second-half, but scuffed his effort into the arms of Tim Roberts in the away goal.

Cundle missed a glorious chance when he bulldozed his way into the penalty area but couldn’t get his shot away under pressure, with Monville in a brilliant position alongside him.

Stephenson flicked an effort off the far post but there remained very little between the two teams.

Monville saw an effort comfortably saved, while Giddens wasn’t called into action until the final 15 minutes as he rushed out to save.

The stopper also kept out a stinging drive from Scott Heard, which was straight at him but it remained 1-0.

Billericay Town: Goddens, Diallo, Cross, Guarilovas, Sappleton, Stephenson, Monville, Hubble, Cundle (Oyinsan), Krasniqi, Luke (Capela)