Prime finally got their season underway with a Chairman's Trophy fixture against league newcomers Rusthall IV.

The Numbers were without several regulars due to injury and holidays and therefore Phil Chapman was handed a debut down the left-wing.

Rusthall were dominant from the start as Prime seemed half-asleep for the first 10 minutes. The Rustics deservedly took the lead during this period as their striker latched onto a through-ball to beat the onrushing Kerton and their midfielder was able to tap home from close-range.

Kerton had to come out smartly to deny a similar opportunity as Prime struggled to find first-gear.

Rusthall were first to every ball and Prime simply couldn't seem to get going until captain Matt Walker started to win a couple of headers and the dangerous Henshall started to get his foot on the ball.

As the half wore on, it was a much more even contest and with Gilbert and Mazurkiewicz shackling the visitor's strikers well, Prime went in search of a leveller.

Their best chances came from corners but with Rusthall's towering defender commanding in the air, they could not find a way through.

Barker picked up a nasty gash on his shin midway through the half - but after lenghty treatment and a change of his bloodied socks, he was able to carry on.

At half-time, Prime knew that they needed to pick up their game by 10% and the win was there for the taking. Everyone was playing well, but chances had been at a premium.

Rusthall were playing a much more direct style in the second half, but Sander and Flamank were repelling their wingers well and the Walker brothers were coming into the game more and more.

On the hour mark, Davis replaced Sander at right-back and to manager Goldsmith's bemusement, Sander stormed off the pitch without saying a word!

But the change paid dividends - albeit indirectly as Barker cut in from the right hand side of the box and smashed home a rising left-footer that the keeper couldn't keep out despite getting a hand to it.

The tricky winger Chapman was coming more and more into the game and after good work from Henshall and Excell, the ball came right across the box and found him in space. His angled drive flashed narrowly past the far post with the keeper motionless.

With 15 minutes left, Goldsmith joined the action, replacing Matt Walker and again, it seemed to be an inspired substitution as Prime broke well and Chapman was on hand to finish coolly from close-range after a good move down the right.

Prime just wanted to see out the final 10 minutes, but Rusthall were literally handed a lifeline. They won a throw down the right-wing and Kerton came flying out to punch it clear, but he was deceived by the flight of the ball and only got his fingertips on it as it sailed into the net.

Prime picked themselves up and went straight back down the other end. Henshall again beat his man and his cross seemed certain to be turned home, but Joe Walker and Excell both went for it and the ball squirmed straight to the keeper.

So it went to extra-time with Prime still feeling a sense of injustice. That feeling was compounded when Rusthall took the on the 100 minute mark after a long ball was flicked on and their striker nipped in and beat Kerton. 3-2 to the visitors.

It remained that way up to the break, but Prime hauled themselves upfield and after a herculean throw from Chapman, Goldsmith got up above his two markers to loop a header over the keeper and into the net.

It seemed like it would go to penalties, but with just 3 minutes on the clock, Rusthall broke down the right wing and after their striker hit the underside of the bar, the rebound seemed to be controlled by his strike partner's arm before being bundled into the net.

Prime were furious, but the ref gave the goal regardless. Flamank was replaced by Postlethwaite for the closing minutes for fear of him talking himself into a sending off.

Prime threw the kitchen sink at Rusthall - including bringing Kerton forward for a corner - but they couldn't find a third equaliser.