Horsham moved into second in division one south after David Flemming's timely goal helped them secure a 2-0 victory at Croydon.

The Hornets dominated the first-half at the Sports Arena but almost lost control in the second half before Flemming eased the nerves with his 82nd-minute effort.

Flemming's last goal for the Hornets was on November 12 against Abingdon Town, a game that had also marked Lee Carney's last appearance due to injury.

The two players combined to seal the three points for the visitors when the striker collected a through ball from the substitute and sent his first shot crashing into the body of goalkeeper Matt Martin. As the ball rebounded into the air, Flemming regained control and lifted it into the goal from 20 yards despite the efforts of a defender on the line.

Horsham should have had the game won by the interval. Inspired by the impressive Rob Collins, they tore the Croydon defence apart with Collins, Stuart Hardy and Gary Charman all going close before they took the lead after 26 minutes.

The Croydon defence allowed a long ball to pass right through them, leaving Collins clean through and the striker maintained his recent goal-a-game ratio by drilling the ball under the body of the diving Martin from just outside the penalty area.

Hardy failed to find an empty net seven minutes before the break and Horsham were almost made to pay after the interval when the hosts rallied.

Hornets keeper Ian Chatfield produced a reflex save to palm out Oliver Hunt's close range header in the 48th minute, and nine minutes later he got down well to block Craig Dundas's drive before Chris Walsh collected the rebound and saw his shot bounce off both posts before being cleared.

A 52nd minute lob from Gavin Geddes sailed only inches wide but Horsham were on the back foot for large periods of the half until Flemming's strike calmed their nerves towards the end of the game.

Manager John Maggs said: "Too many simple chances went begging in the first half and in the second-half they were much improved and we made hard work of it. I am happy with the result. We got a long overdue goal from Flemming and 25 minutes out of Lee Carney. He came through okay which is another big plus for us."