RUSTHALL suffered their fifth defeat in a row in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division despite having been the better side until the last 20 minutes.
The first half was dominated by the visitors and they should have been leading by more goals than the one scored by Callum Ridley.
The influential Ed Sharman saw an early header hit the post as the Rustics’ fluid play created numerous chances.
Ridley was making penetrating runs through the middle while Regan Corke created problems down Bearsted’s left flank and supplied tempting crosses into the box.
He was well supported by left-back Robbie Bissett, and he struck the crossbar while Corke found the side netting in a positive start to the second half.
They were left to rue their missed chances as a long ball into the Rusthall penalty area found Matt Garner, who scored to level the match.
This gave Bearsted a lift and Rusthall seemed to be deflated as the home side went on to score three more in the next 15 minutes, through Reece Collins twice and Jonathan Rodgers.
The visitors did recover their composure and managed to score a late goal with a curling shot from outside the box by Sharman but it was too little too late.
Rusthall now have a break from league action as they travel to Newhaven for an FA Vase tie on Saturday [October 13, kick-off 3pm].
