Croydon Athletic need only avoid defeat to Folkestone Invicta tomorrow night to ensure promotion to the Ryman League Premier Division.

The Rams beat Whyteleafe 2-0 on Saturday and were three minutes away from securing top flight before Folkestone scored a late winner at Ramsgate.

They are four points clear of Folkestone with two games to play so even if they lose tomorrow night, they would still go up with victory over Ramsgate in the final game of the season next Saturday.

In the derby against Whyteleafe, Croydon started off tentatively knowing what was at stake but Whyteleafe had no such pressure and Darren Watson got an early header in that went just wide for the home side.

With the Rams playing three up front they were looking to push forward, although Whyteleafe continued to press, and Jacob Erskine and Joe Dolan in the heart of the Rams’ defence managed to keep everything at bay.

The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when, against the run of play, a good run by Gareth Williams down the left wing was sliced across towards goal and Ben Godfrey managed to get the slightest of touches to it to claim the goal and put the Rams 1-0 up.

In the second half, Croydon stepped up the pace and had several chances to go further ahead, with Williams through on goal again in the 59th minute but shooting just wide and Leslie Thompson being in space in the 18 yard area later on in the half.

With news seeping through that Folkestone were level, the Rams continued to dominate the half, and they finally got their reward in the 86th minute when Godfrey made it two with a close range shot.

The Rams won the day but will have to wait to Tuesday to clinch the promotion slot.

Croydon Athletic: Andy Little, Joe Howe, Nathan Green, Danny Waldren, Joe Dolan, Jacob Erskine, Rory Hill, Andrew White (Chris Bourne, 88), Gareth Williams (Leslie Thompson, 69), Gary Noel, Ben Godfrey. Subs not used: Dan Moody, Taurean McDonald-Roberts, Bentley Graham.