Croydon Athletic returned from their trip to promotion-chasers Kingstonian with their heads held high but with a 2-1 defeat.

For long periods of the game there was little to chose between the teams and The Rams can feel a little aggrieved that they never got the point their display deserved.

Croydon took the game to Kingstonian from the first whistle and both Danny Elgar and Tom Hughes went close in the first three minutes.

On 14 minutes, Croydon took the lead.

After Ks had pushed up field for a corner, The Rams broke quickly after Hughes’ clearance and Shabazz Baidoo broke forward and released a fine, well timed pass to Elgar who rounded Rob Tolfrey in the Ks goal and slotted the ball into the empty goal to put the Rams one up.

The K’s tried to respond and from a corner Nicky Greene headed just over but Croydon were dangerous on the break.

Just when it looked like Croydon would go into the interval ahead, Kingstonian equalised.

From a free kick to the far post in the 45th minute a goalmouth scramble ensued and former Rams player Joe Dolan’s shot was adjudged to have crossed the line, although it was by no means clear and not one player initially claimed the goal with the Rams’ defence adamant that the ball had not gone over the line.

The second half began with Kingstonian pushing for a second goal and both Bobby Traynor and Paul Vines both went close but Croydon responded and Baidoo had a shot well saved by Tolfrey.

It was now end-to-end and Bashire Alimi had a shot which hit the post for Kingstonian and Keiron McCann had another chance saved for Croydon.

In the 75th minute came the decisive goal, a forward pass found Traynor in space and his cross shot eluded Charlie Mitten and nestled in the bottom corner. Croydon tried to respond and Elgar had a shot just over and Tom Bolarinwa’s shot was saved but the Rams ran out of time.

A disappointing result but a good performance which must give the Rams confidence as they reach the climax of the season.

It is now four defeats in a row for the bottom-of-the-table club but they are still just two points from safety.

Croydon Athletic: Charlie Mitten, Colin Hartburn, Helge Orome, Kieron McCann, Tom Hughes, Jon Cartledge, Danny Elgar, Jeremy Williams, Shabazz Baidoo (Dan Moody, 82), Stefan Joseph, Tom Bolarinwa. Subs not used: Lasse Weber, Kevin Sefaah, James King, Jonathan Beale.