RUSTICS stayed on top of Southern Counties East League Division One after Ian Parsons scored twice in an impressive win at Eltham Palace.
The home side had inflicted Rusthall’s only defeat of the season so far when they met at the Jockey Stadium on December 3.
Eltham began strongly but on 20 minutes Rusthall took the lead when Parsons’ free-kick from 25 yards deceived the home keeper and went in under the bar.
Just three minutes later, however, the hosts were level after Mark McKenna fired home from 20 yards, giving Sean Ingleson no chance in the Rustics goal.
Eltham enjoyed a spell of pressure but only created one real opportunity which Ingleson kept out well, diving to his right.
On 34 minutes the visitors regained the lead. Jon Sebbaron made a mazy run down the left and his superb cross was met by Parsons, who made no mistake from inside the six-yard box.
The game became scrappy in the second half but on 76 minutes George Rogerson came on up front for the tiring Andy Constable and with almost his first touch he crossed for John Phillips to head home from inside the box.
That gave the Rustics some breathing space and four minutes minutes later it was 4-1, With Eltham pushing forward the Rustics broke quickly and hard-working striker Adam Davies calmly rounded the keeper to wrap up the points.
Since that defeat to Eltham, the Rustics have won seven straight games, scoring 26 goals and conceding just six.
Next up is a difficult trip to Bridon Ropes but striker Danny Powell has resumed training after his long injury lay-off to give the team a boost in the race for promotion.
