RUSTHALL bowed out of the FA Vase down on the coast but proved a match for the in-form Southern Combination side, who had won their previous match 10-0.
Neither team had a shot on goal during the first 45 minutes, although there were goalmouth scrambles at either end.
Steve Camacho impressed with his skill and work-rate for Rusthall, and he set up the best chance of first half.
He robbed a defender of the ball and under pressure reached the byline and crossed past the goalkeeper and across an empty goal but there was no one in the box to convert.
Soon after the interval John Phillips headed narrowly wide for the visitors from a corner, which seemed to make Newhaven increase their efforts.
Joe Cullip in the Rusthall goal had to make an outstanding save from Lee Robinson and then the subsequent corner was cleared off of the line.
In the 65th minute the home side finally broke the deadlock. Tristan Jarvis got behind the Rusthall defence and his cross was finished by Robinson.
The Rustics kept battling but Newhaven’s lead was doubled in the 72nd minute when Ebou Jallow played Robinson in. He faked a return pass but went alone and scored with his left foot.
This prompted Rusthall to bring attacking options off the bench. Sam Murray went on a solo run into the Newhaven box and was awarded a penalty when he was pulled back.
Ed Sharman scored from the spot to claw a goal back for the visitors.
Rusthall are now travelling to Croydon in the Kent Senior Trophy on Saturday [October 20, kick-off 3pm].
