An exciting six-goal thriller at St George's Field saw Chris Piper hit his first hat-trick for Croydon Athletic in a 4-2 win over Corinthian Casuals.

The win was the Rams' fifth in a row in the league and sixth in all competitions and leaves them just five points behind cash-strapped leaders Folkestone Invicta, who lost at Sittingbourne.

Casuals actually took the lead in the seventh minute when Glen Boosey hit a fine strike to put them 1-0 up.

However, it was just three minutes later when Piper made his mark with a well taken free kick that hit the back of the net and put Croydon back on track.

Gary Noel had another chance when he was through into the box but on-form Casuals’ keeper Luke Naughton made a diving save at his feet.

As the half wore on, Leslie Thompson went on a run down the wing crossing into the box for Jeremy Williams to head just over the bar, and the away side began to get on top of things and look the more dangerous side.

Further chances fell to Noel and Gareth Williams, with the former just failing to get on the end of a penetrating Chris Bourne cross in the 33rd minute, and Williams’ shot well saved by the Casuals’ keeper as half time approached.

In the second half the Rams picked up the pace, and in the 48th minute Piper picked up the ball and cut across into the box, putting the away side 2-1 up.

However, Casuals were not giving up and in the 54th minute Scott Corbett managed to get a breakaway goal to level the scores at 2-2.

Noel was determined to get on the scoresheet and his persistence paid off in the 60th minute when he struck the ball sweetly to put the Rams 3-2 up.

In the 73rd minute the referee, to the surprise of everyone in the ground, award a penalty to Casuals, but Dale Hennessy hit the ball well wide of the goal.

With the match nearing the 90 minutes Croydon had further chances with Rory Hill having a good chance well saved again by the keeper, and Jeremy Williams coming close from a corner.

Piper got his matchball in the 87th minute when the Rams’ captain completed his hat-trick.

The away side came close again in injury time when a good run by Joe Howe was floated in but Noel just failed to connect in the box.

Croydon Athletic: Andy Little, Joe Howe, Chris Bourne, Danny Waldren (Bentley Graham, 79), Daniel Sintim, Jeremy Williams, Leslie Thompson (Goma Lambu, 70), Chris Piper, Gareth Williams (Ben Lewis, 79), Gary Noel, Rory Hill. Subs not used: Ben Godfrey, Neil Smith.