Croydon Athletic are just a point off the foot of the Ryman Premier League after new league leaders Kingstonian beat them 4-0 at the KT Stadium on Saturday.

The result means caretaker managers Bob Langford and Dave Garland are still waiting for their first win since returning to the club - despite the Rams hitting the woodwork twice against Ks.

The first goal came in the 17th minute when Dean Lodge found himself in space to put the Ks one ahead.

Croydon had their chance to equalise though, when a great pass from Stefan Joseph fell to Reggie Savage in the box but his shot was blasted against the post.

In the second half, the Rams again had a chance when Rob George's strike from 20 yards hit the crossbar and the home team began to feel it was not going to be their day.

Kingstonian stepped up the pace in he 64th minute when Bobby Traynor got the second, and in the 66th minute Lodge got his second of the game and Ks third after latching on a defensive error.

Croydon kept at it though and the Rams’ keeper Simon Locke managed to parry a good shot from Matt Gray wide in the 75th minute, and at the other end of the pitch Kevin Sefaah had a shot from 20 yards that went just wide.

However, it was Kingstonian again who got their fourth in the 78th minute with substitute Carl Wilson-Dennis getting on the scoresheet and sealing the result for the Ks.

Croydon pushed up towards the end of the match, but were unable to get any reward.

The away side had further chances when Simon Huckle came close with one header going just wide and another well saved by Locke in the Croydon goal.

A 4-0 victory for one of the division’s favourites to gain promotion and Croydon won't be having many tougher battles over the rest of the season.

They next face second-bottom Maidstone United at home on Wednesday night in a game they will hope to win.

Croydon Athletic: Simon Locke, Troy Oham-Strachan, Helge Orome, Rob George, Tom Hughes, Jeremy Williams, Mark Wardell (46 mins Stephane Yaba), Kevin Sefaah, Stefan Joseph (80 mins Dan Moody), Reggie Savage, Danny Dudley. Subs not used: Jonathan Beale, Julien Thompson, Cody Best.

Next three matches: October 27 Maidstone United (h), November 3 Sutton United (h), Nov 6 Harrow Borough (a).