Croydon Athletic's promotion hopes were dealt a bitter blow as a Phil Ruggles wonder strike helped Metropolitan Police to a shock 2-0 win over the Ryman League Division South leaders.

High-flying Athletic, who have been in fine form at their KT Stadium this season, started brightly and Taurean McDonald-Roberts was unlucky to see his header cannon off the post during the early exchanges.

Croydon keeper Andy Little was then called into action at the other end of the field, producing an excellent save to deny Police's Craig Brown.

But the form books were thrown out the window in the 18th minute with a goal of genunine quality. The Blues' hit-man Ruggles received the ball and unleashed a vicious 25-yard shot that flew past Little and silenced the home fans.

The Rams flew forward in search of an eqaualiser and McDonald-Roberts came close again before Danny Waldren's audacious free-kick narrowly missed in the 28th minute.

The Police defence remained resolute and it was Croydon's keeper Little who was forced to make a fine save to deny Brown just before half time.

In the second half Waldren came close again with a 30-yard free-kick, but this time it was the post that came to the away team's rescue. Croydon's Gareth Williams had a header cleared off the line in the 53rd minute before Jeremy Williams missed a guilt-edged chance a minute later.

Athletic's failures in front of goal came back to haunt them in the 60th minute when Craig Carley doubled Police's lead when he slammed the ball past Little after good work from Nathan Simpson.

Despite a couple of goal-mouth scrambles, Croydon were unable to convert their pressure into goals and they will ultimately see this as three points dropped in their push for promotion.

Croydon Athletic: Andy Little, Joe Howe, Chris Bourne, Danny Waldren, Joe Dolan, Jeremy Williams, Taurean McDonald-Roberts, Gareth Williams (58 mins Gary Noel), Jacob Erskine (61 mins Ben Godfrey), Rory Hill (61 mins Tom Bolarinwa) Subs not used: Bentley Graham, Leslie Thompson