A SUPERB strike from Steve Smith with three minutes remaining secured another well-earned three points for Rusthall, who completed a league double over Sheppey.
The home side were playing an impressive passing game but could not find the net until a moment of magic from Steph Harper broke the deadlock on 37 minutes.
He picked up the ball in midfield and from 25 yards curled a right foot shot into the top right-hand corner, giving Josh Glover in the Sheppey goal no chance with his 11th goal of the season.
Rusthall were punished for switching off on 66 minutes. From a corner on the right they allowed the ball to bounce in the area and Luke Girt equalised with a well-taken goal.
Sheppey looked the more likely to go on and win the game but Rusthall’s midfield worked their socks off to repel the visitors.
As the clock ran down, the Rustics won the ball in midfield and fed it through to Smith. The hard-working striker unleashed a vicious right-foot shot from outside the box that left keeper Glover rooted to the spot as it flew in the net.
So Rusthall’s quest for survival in the Southern Counties East Premier Division were boosted.
Now the Rustics face a trip to Deal Town on Saturday (December 16, kick-off 3pm).
