SEVENOAKS TOWN completed a league double over the Rustics at the Jockey Farm Stadium but for long periods the home side were very much in the game.
Goalkeeper Joe Cullip made several superb saves to keep the score at 1-0 before two late goals secured the points for the leaders of the Southern Counties East League Premier Division.
Cullip was back between the sticks after recent signing Steve Lawrence rejoined Tunbridge Wells – having kept goal for three unbeaten games for the Rustics.
It was also the last game for -influential skipper John Sinclair before he headed off to university – he will be a hard act to follow.
Sevenoaks went ahead in -controversial fashion on 17 minutes, with striker Mark Jones seeming to force the ball over the line with his left arm from a cross.
Cullip twice thwarted Byron Walker when through he was through on goal to ensure that the Rustics were only 1-0 down at the interval.
Rusthall should have equalised three minutes into the second half. Michael Tubb’s cross from the right was met on the volley by Ryan Waterman but his fine effort went agonisingly wide of the right post.
Rusthall lost in-form striker Steph Harper to injury but despite piling on the pressure Sevenoaks were unable to increase their lead with Cullip again making two great saves.
With 14 minutes left, however, a poor header back to Cullip fell short and Walker nipped in to finish.
On 81 minutes the visitors made it 3-0 when they caught the Rustics on the counter-attack and a fine deep cross from the right found the head of Rory Hill who gave Cullip no chance.
Sevenoaks looked impressive and should be among the contenders for promotion at the end of the season.
On Saturday October 14 Rusthall face an away game at Corinthian (kick-off 3pm).
