THE Rustics slipped to their fourth consecutive defeat and need to start picking up points if they are to avoid a relegation battle in Southern Counties East Premier Division.
Rusthall created much more than the visitors but were guilty of squandering their many chances.
The home side took the lead on the stroke of half-time when striker Steve Smith saw his shot superbly saved by Bearsted keeper Scott Andrews but Jon Sebbar curled the rebound into the top left hand corner for his first goal of the season.
The game ultimately turned in a 60-second passage of play early in the second half.
On 48 minutes a superb build-up and exchange of passes between Steve Smith and Joe Fuller put the latter through but Andrews made the save.
From his long clearance Rusthall failed to deal with the first bounce and Bearsted’s lively striker Constantine Scarlat was gifted an easy chance to equalise. Rusthall bounced back from this setback and Steve Smith went close twice but was -thwarted by Andrews.
On 68 minutes the home defence was caught out again by the pacey front two of Bearsted and Lucian Scarlat put the visitors in front with a superb goal.
The Rustics received a setback in midweek when injured striker Danny Powell attempted a come back for the reserves in midweek but broke down again after just five minutes.
The club now lie 17th out of 20 and the next game is crucial.
They visit second-from-bottom Rochester United on Saturday [December 2, kick-off 3pm].Â
