Rusthall IV 3-1 Ashton Prime

Prime headed to Southwood Road to face a side full of confidence having beaten league favourites AFC Valour last week. The omens were not good for the visitors who had been deducted 3 points during the week, and were already without half a dozen first-teamers.

Things got even worse in the build up as keeper Latter failed to show, leaving Skovborg-Hansen to reluctantly don the gloves, with Sankey starting in his place on the right-wing. Sturmey was left as the only substitute.

In ice-cold conditions the game got underway with the hosts dominating, with Skovborg-Hansen and his back four working overtime to keep out the Rustics attacking forays.

Prime began to find their feet with Goulding and Matthews competing well in the heart of the midfield and Barker and Excell starting to hold the ball up well.

On 20 minutes Prime were given a golden opportunity to take the lead when Ellis drew a clumsy lunge from the Rusthall right-back and ref Delves pointed to the spot.

Excell kept his cool to slot home and give the Numbers the lead to the shock of the home supporters.

The lead however did not last long. A long throw was flicked on and Skovborg-Hansen was left helpless as the Rustics striker finished from close range.

The Prime goal was coming under siege and it wasn't long before the home side were in front. The goal was fortunante though as the Rusthall right-winger sent a volleyed cross towards to back-post, but the ball dipped and went in off the far post, leaving the keeper with no chance.

Prime were rocking and a third goal was scored soon after as an excellently curled cross disected the keeper and the Prime defence perfectly, leaving Rusthall's star man Yahyaoui to nod home.

To their credit Prime started to fight with Excell in particular looking menacing. From Goulding's short free-kick, Excell tried his luck, but although he hit it well, it was straight at the keeper.

Sankey also flashed a dangerous ball across the goalmouth but neither striker could apply the finish.

Rusthall started the second half with the slope assisting them, but Gilbert and captain for the day Jamie Barker were looking very solid and the Rusthall plan to switch their pacey winger to the left backfired badly as Mazurkiewicz marked him out of the game to the point that he was soon substituted.

It was a half of relatively few chances, but the home side were on top and Skovborg-Hansen did make a couple of outstanding saves.

There was more injury concern for The Numbers as Ellis was forced off with a recurrence of a back injury - Sturmey joined the fray for the last 25 minutes and battled well to keep Prime in the game.

Prime's best moment of the half came when Goulding clipped in a delightful free-kick to the back-post but the normally prolific Carl Barker put his header wide.

Man of the Match: Andy Skovborg-Hansen - Reluctant hero