Three first half Croydon goals gave Forest Hill Park too much to do in a competitive game at Ladywell Arena.

Despite heavy rainfall right up to kick off making the pitch very boggy, the two teams put everything into an entertaining, competitive match.

Bradley Wilson drew a good save out of Dillon Green from an early Croydon free kick before the Trams’ wide man created another chance but Eldi Baze could only head straight at Green.

A further Wilson free kick created the opening goal. His delivery to the far post picked out Junior Baker who headed home from a tight angle.

Bryan Dakouri hooked wide first time for Forest Hill but the visitors continued to enjoy the better of things and scored twice in four minutes. Another Wilson free kick picked out Kieran Rufus and he headed beyond a helpless Green.

Baze then got his name on the scoresheet when Anthony Morrison got in behind and squared unselfishly. Baze controlled it before passing it into the bottom corner.

They then reversed roles when Baze pulled it back but Green made a good block with his legs to thwart Morrison.

Phillip McBean headed wide when he went up for a Forest Hill free kick and Dakouri was again off target before the visitors had a big shout for a penalty just before half time when Taylor Maddock went down in the box. 

Five minutes after the interval, the hosts pulled one back. McBean delivered a free kick and Dakouri sent a powerful near post header past Daniel O’Donovan.

Baze had a shot deflected wide before Croydon made the game safe with seventeen minutes remaining. Substitute Josh Owen created the chance with a clever pull back and Wilson finished confidently.

Dakouri again reduced the arrears when played beyond the Croydon defence to beat O’Donovan with ten minutes remaining but it was too little too late. In fact, had it not been for a great last gasp block tackle by Aaron Barrett on Cameron Gyeabour, it might have been worse for Forest Hill.

Victory means that Croydon are now five points away from the play-offs with four games to play whilst Forest Hill Park are bottom of the table, eight points away from safety.

Forest Hill Park: Green, Barretti, John (Cassius 45+1), Alexander, Doumbia (Sentamu 76), McBean, Allen (Lawal 67), Asamoah, Dakouri, Daharou, Allassani.

Unused subs: Garcia, Grant.

Goal scorers: Dakouri (50), (80)

Yellow cards: None

Croydon: O’Donovan, Dabo, Huckle, Baker, Rufus (Noel 77), N. Wilson, B. Wilson, Reber, Baze (Gyeabour 77), Maddock (Owen 56), Morrison.

Unused subs: Oliver, Udo. 

Goal scorers: Baker (9), Rufus (24), Base (28), B. Wilson (73)

Yellow cards: B. Wilson

Referee: Andrew Stanford

Assistants: Derek Peck and Adam Clayton