Beckenham ran out winners in this cross county local derby, but they came perilously close to throwing away a deserved lead late on after failing to kill the game off with numerous chances in the second half.

The game got going in open fashion with both sides passing the ball well on the fantastic Eden Park Road pitch. Dan Jupe fired over for Croydon while Jack Humphries hit the post for Becks from a tight angle.

Then as the home side began to have the better of the game they took the lead on 15 minutes when Humphries latched on to a long ball from the Becks keeper and lobbed Francis Ameyaw from 25 yards to put them 1-0 up.

Two minutes later Beckenham were 2-0 up when Frankie Warren converted a cross with a sweet volley low into the corner of the net.

The Trams battled back into things and after Carlton Murray-Price had gone close Dan Jupe pulled a goal back on 28 minutes latching on to a James Frey through ball and rolling the ball past the advancing Rilwan Anibaba and just inside the far post for 2-1.

Beckenham still had the better of things but Croydon did go close to equalising just before half time when Jupe had a header saved from a corner.

The second half saw Beckenham again have more positive possession and create good chances, but they failed to add to their lead despite several good opportunities Humphries, Ben Lockett and Warren all going close.

Croydon also could have drawn level on three occasions late on with Karl Douglin just shooting wide, Jupe missing a great chance when well placed and then in injury time Murray –Price beat Anibaba but saw his low shot cleared off the line by two Becks defenders.

In the end two goals were enough for Beckenham to win the game, but on another day they could have been made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal.

Becks now sit in sixth place just behind the pace setters with The Trams in fifteenth still getting used to life under their new joint manager Kevin Rayner and changes in playing personnel.

Goals: Becks – Humphries 15, Warren 17mins. Croydon – Jupe 28mins.

HT 2-1 FT 2-1

Match Rating: 4/5

Star Man:  Jamie Humphries (Beckenham)

Att: 105

Ref: Mr Bakalarz