A DEPLETED Rusthall side travelled to Chatham looking for their first win this year.
But they had to settle for a much-needed point in the battle to avoid relegation, and were cheered by their first clean sheet since September 20.
New striker Dan Hanshaw made his debut while the Rustics also welcomed back Danny Powell for the forward’s first appearance since September following a serious ankle injury.
In-form Chatham shaded the first half possession-wise, but Callum Christie was only called upon to make one decent save.
The visitors started the second half by setting the tempo and Steph Harper had an attempt on the home goal from a free-kick, while Chatham shaved the post with a good strike. But both sides were guilty of not finding the final ball when it mattered.
The clean sheet gave the Rustics some comfort and push for a strong finish to the season but their hopes of avoiding the drop were dampened by a victory for Hollands & Blair, second fro m bottom in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division but now only two points behind.
It is going to be a hectic period with Rusthall having to play eight games between now and April 28 due to a number of postponements.
Saturday’s scheduled home game with Lordswood was a victim of the overnight rain and that will now be played on Monday, April 23.
