Two goals in the last five minutes clinched the Ryman League Division 1 title for Croydon yesterday, but City made them fight all the way,.

Playing their sixth game in ten days, the visitors can consider themselves unlucky to have got no reward from the game.

After early pressure by the visitors, two runs by Chris Potter stretched the home defence.

City were having more of the play and in the 25th minute, Michael Thorp sent a header past the post after being set up by Dwaine Strong.

Potter raced past three defenders but his shot was charged down and a good effort from Shaun Wimble curled just over. Just before half-time, City had a let-off when Andy Smith cleared off the line from a corner.

In the 49th minute, Wimble was just unable to reach a header from Smith in front of a gaping goal, while at the other end, Alan Foster saved well from Liddle after a mistake from Garry Smart.

City almost snatched the lead twice in three minutes.

First, Matty Whitehead sent a splendid 35-yard volley just off target, and then Strong raced clear from halfway, only to pass when a shot looked the far better option.

With five minutes left, City were caught on the break when Harper put Croydon in front, and two minutes later, a shot from a Dickson hit the post for Allen to bundle in No 2.