Fleet's poor home form continued on Saturday, as they crashed to their 9th consecutive home defeat against title challengers, Folkstone Invicta.
Twice ahead in this eight-goal thriller, Mick Catlin's side were all-square at 2-2 and still in the game at the interval, but then fell away after the break, conceding three penalties and four further goals to lose by a clear 4-goal margin.
The defeat leaves Fleet still floundering at the bottom of the table, and with 11 games to go, desperate for the points that will start their move away from the relegation zone.
Saturday's game was always going to be a tough one for Fleet, against fourth place Folkestone, a side unbeaten in its last 17 league matches. But Fleet started brightly and deserved to take the lead in the 14th minute, Shaun Hale scoring direct from a free-kick just outside the area, with a fine left-footed strike, easily beating Invicta keeper, Tony Kessell. Kessell for his part was fortunate to still be on the pitch at this stage, after bringing down striker Eddie Smith with a challenge that would have had earned him a straight red card from most referees.
Without a substitute keeper, the Invicta bench were clearly relieved when referee, Gary Young showed the keeper the yellow rather than the expected red card.
The fortunate visitors then equalised 7 minutes later, defender, Adam Flanagan heading in, from a well-worked, free-kick set-piece.
Undeterred, Fleet continued to put pressure on the Folkestone defence, and were back in front five minutes later, Smith cleverly chipping Kessell, after great work down the left, and a quick throw-in from Hale. But straight from the re-start it was all-square again when mid-fielder, John Ayling gathered a loose ball and was given time to pick his spot past Fleet keeper, Calvin Sparshatt.
Four minutes after the break, the visitors went ahead for the first time in the game, after another clever free-kick routine left Ayling with a simple tap-in for his second goal of the match.
Fleet responded well and were unlucky not to get more from several good attacking moves; first by striker Richard Mealey, who was brought down when clean through on goal, and again, a few minutes later when Hale was cynically fouled when clear through, again with only Kessell to beat.
Against the run of play the visitors were then awarded three penalties in quick succession, two for handball offences. The first was converted by Invicta mid-fielder, Martin Chandler. The second, again by Chandler was well-saved by Sparshatt, diving low to his right. The third, on 82 minutes gave Ayling his hat-trick.
Sub, Lee Blackman then made it six for Invicta with almost the last kick of the match.
Fleet Town: Sparshatt, Dalton (sub Byfield, 88 minutes), Millerick, Hare (Leworthy, 62), Blakely, Saunders, Boyle (Black, 62), Anstey, Mealey, Smith, Hale. Subs (not used); May, Buckland.