Ben Godfrey scored a hat-trick as Croydon Athletic progressed in to the quarter-finals of the Surrey Senior Cup with an extra-time rout of Crystal Palace, winning 6-2.

With Croydon fielding a much-changed side from their league encounter against Whitstable Town on Tuesday night and Palace playing a youth side that included Keiron Cadogan as the only player with professional experience, it took both teams a while to get into their stride.

It was Palace who took the lead in the 25th minute though when Taurean McDonald-Roberts capitalised on a mistake in Athletic's midfield and put the Eagles 1-0 up.

However, the Rams exerted some pressure with Godfrey lively up front and he had a couple of chances that went close before finally getting his reward in the 39th minute.

Leslie Thompson’s shot was parried out by Ross Fitzsimmons in the Palace goal and Godfrey took his chance from 10 yards to level the score.

After the break, Thompson had a good strike from 18 yards that was kept out by Fitzsimmons.

In the 67th minute, Palace took the lead again and this time it was Rhys Williamson-Murrell who picked up the ball from midfield and slotted the ball past Prince Francis N’Gokumu, making his debut in the Rams’ goal.

However, the lead was to last just five minutes when substitute Chris Piper made the scores level following a good cross from Thompson.

Further chances followed, with Gary Noel going close with a near post header and Rory Hill’s strike just over.

N’Gokumu was caught by a nasty challenge from a Palace striker as the game neared the 90 minutes and the remonstrations from the Croydon bench resulted in manager Tim O’Shea and his assistant Neil Smith being sent into the stands for the extra time period.

In the 92nd minute, Croydon went ahead when a long ball into the box fell to Godfrey and he calmly slotted it home to make the score 3-2.

Palace centre-half Dan Pringle was forced off clutching a nasty hamstring injury and with the Eagles having used all their subs they were down to 10 men for the rest of the game.

Croydon took full advantage with Godfrey getting his hat-trick in the 96th minute after a corner in from Hill.

It was Hill’s turn to score in the 100th minute, hitting a fine effort across the Palace keeper and nestling the ball in the back of the far post.

The Rams were rampant now and the sixth goal was to follow, this time from the hardworking Thompson who knocked the ball home from close range.

In the end an emphatic win for the Rams and a quarter final home tie against Sutton United awaits in the Surrey Senior Cup.

Croydon Athletic: Prince Francis N’Gokumu, Rob Depeazer, Joe Howe, Danny Waldren, Jeremy Williams, Daniel Sintim, Tom Bolarinwa (Gary Noel, 72), Bentley Graham (Chris Piper, 65), Ben Godfrey, Leslie Thompson, Zak Henry (Rory Hill, 65). Subs not used: Gareth Williams, Neil Smith.