GRAVESEND & Northfleet moved level on points with Canvey Island at the top of the Ryman League, Premier Division with a comfortable 6-1 home victory over bottom team Croydon on Tuesday night.

The Fleet scored their opening goal after 13 minutes but only after a huge slice of good luck had gone their way when Jamie Turner's clearance had rebounded off a Croydon player onto a post and back to the Gravesend keeper.

Turner immediately cleared the ball downfield where it eventually fell to Darren Smith who made no mistake with a calm finish.

The goal seemed to dent Croydon's already low confidence and that didn't improve before the mid-way point of the opening half as the hosts extended their lead with two more goals, both from Che Stadhart.

His first strike was a direct result of an astute pass from Craig Wilkins and the second came when Wilkins' shot was blocked into Stadhart's path.

After having a major hand in both of those goals, Wilkins gained some reward on 64 minutes when the Fleet top scorer clipped home Jimmy Jackson's far post cross.

Croydon were then reduced to 10 men when Danny Bowyer was red carded for a late challenge but amazingly they pulled a goal back shortly afterwards with probably the goal of the game as Nicky Green found the top corner of the net with a delightful free-kick.

However, it wasn't enough to spoil Gravesend's night, and in particular Stadhart's, as he completed his hat-trick with five minutes remaining from a cross from substitute Paul Booth.

There was still enough time for Smith to net his second of the game as Gravesend seized the perfect opportunity to improve their goal difference.