With Croydon Athletic clinging on to Ryman status, it went against them again at the KT Stadium on Saturday as a late goal gave Folkestone Invicta a narrow 2-1 victory - the Rams' seventh straight league defeat.

Croydon looked strong in the early stages, coming close in the 13th minute when Peter Wedgeworth’s great ball into the box fell to Elliott Jones, whose shot went inches wide.

George Landais also had two good chances, one from long range and the other inside the six yard box but the keeper managed to block it.

Charlie Mann for Croydon was in good form with two fine saves in the first half and the score remained 0-0 at half time.

In the second half, Stuart King got the all-important first goal for the visitors in the 51st minute. Invicta had the upper hand and Justin Hemmings for the Rams did well to clear the ball off the line and prevent them going further ahead.

In the 70th minute, a penalty was awarded to the away side but Mann managed to keep it out from Darren Smith’s spot kick.

Croydon were back in it in the 82nd minute when a slip from the Folkestone keeper let Landais in for the equaliser from close range.

Croydon battled for the win with some good displays across the park, but they were to be denied the draw in the 87th minute when Folkestone substitute Simon Austin netted the winner and heralded further misery for Croydon Athletic.

Croydon Athletic: Charlie Mann, Colin Hartburn, Peter Wedgeworth (63 mins Kery Kedze), Elliott Jones, Justin Hemmings, Rob Carter, Billy Marshall, Jordan Cheadle, Connor French, George Landais, James Fray. Subs not used: Tony Cuff, Michael Corbett, Ben Lockett, Prince N’Gokomu