Third placed Corinthian travelled over to 15th Croydon hoping to keep the pressure on the leaders and they managed to do so with a hard fought win in one of the few games to survive the wet weather.

Both sides started the game looking to attack and using the ball well on the excellent Croydon Arena pitch. Josh James had a curling effort well save by Trams Keeper Francis Ameyaw while at the other end Karl Douglin forced a save from Taylor Gable after a powerful run into the box.

Former Bristol Rovers player Liam Harwood making his debut for Croydon had a header saved by Gable soon after and Carlton Murray-Price hit the post as The Trams pressed for an opener.

Dan Jupe fired over when well placed, Adam Allen hit  long range shot just over and James Frey was also denied by Gable before Corinthian battled back into things.

Luke Tanner had a goal ruled out for offside and Eric Astrom shot wide before James Collins’ side took the lead in first half injury time.

James sent a free kick into the box from out wide which was parried by Ameyaw only for Mohammed Eisa to turn in the rebound to put the visitors in front at the break.

The second half saw Croydon start well, but they were unable to find a way through the solid Corinthian defence and on 67 minutes they let in a calamitous second goal.

A mix up between Allen and Ameyaw saw the ball run past the stranded keeper and Luke Tanner ran in to roll the ball into an empty net.

Corinthian had a good spell following the goal with Jamie Billings hitting a long range volley which Ameyaw did well to save, before late in the game the home side had a spell of pressure. Jupe had an effort cleared off the line, Douglin shot wide and Leigh Wise fired over.

Corinthian deserved their three points with a solid display, surviving spells of pressure and taking key chances while playing some good football.

The new managerial duo at Croydon still have a lot to work on, but for periods in the game they more than matched their higher placed opponents.

Croydon: Ameyaw, Curtis, Di Giorgio, Allen, Craviero, Harwood (Wise 77), Murray-Price (Badchkam 77), Toney, Jupe, Douglin, Frey (Chin 84),

Sub not used: Spencer.

Corinthian: Gable, Astrom (Hayes 67), Mahoney, Crowther, Pascal-Johnson, Evans, Lee (Nwitua 47), Brown, Tanner, James (Billings 55), Eisa.

Sub not used: Dayrami.

Star man: Miguel Pascal-Johnson (Corinthian)

Match rating: 3/5

Att: 60

Ref: Mr Stacchini

Goals: Eisa 44, Tanner 67mins.