Kennington started the stronger against a nervous-looking Rusthall, and deservedly took the lead after eight minutes when leading scorer Gary Lockyer superbly chipped goalkeeper Billy Johnson after finding space just outside the area.
Rusthall’s young back three of Jake Hampson, Ryan Styles and skipper Robbie Bissett were in fine form to prevent Kennington from increasing their lead and they had to settle for their single-goal advantage at half-time.
The second period proved to be the complete opposite to the first half, with Rusthall pressing from the start and Kennington being pinned back, Charlie Clover causing panic in their rearguard.
On 56 minutes the visitors’ pressure was rewarded when a corner from the right by Tommy Lawrence was flicked on and Styles volleyed home in fine style from close range.
The home side seemed shell-shocked, and just five minutes later Rusthall went ahead from another corner which Kennington failed to clear.
Bissett hit a sublime left-footed half-volley from a tight angle that flew past England’s six-a-side keeper, Joe Mant, into the net.
The pace of Louis Clark caused problems as soon as the young winger came on, and he should have put the result beyond doubt on 81 minutes after being put through by James Miles, but he blasted his shot over from the edge of the area.
The rise to the summit was made all the sweeter when news came through that promotion rivals Holmesdale had let slip a two-goal lead at Greenways and lost 3-2 to a last-minute strike.
There was more good news when Jimmy Anderson was named as manager of the month for February – when the Rustics won all three games, scoring 12 goals and conceding just once.
Rusthall are now at home to Forest Hill Park on Saturday (March 14, kick-off 3pm).
