Prime headed to Rusthall to face one of their perennial bogey teams buoyed by their opening day win over another such side in Woodlands.

While Prime were chalking up their first 3 points of the season, The Rustics were busy demolishing 8-man Roselands Reserves 22-1 so neither side would be short on confidence.

For Prime the two changes were down the right side with Buckland and Flamank replacing the unavailable Sander and Gibson at right-back and right-wing respectively. For Buckland it meant a first competitive start since April 2007. Mazurkiewicz was joined on the bench by new-boys Betts and Senior.

Prime kicked off heading down the slope, but it was the home side who were on top in the opening exchanges with plenty of their play coming down the left - assisted by a rusty-looking Buckland. But Cary and Walker were solid and Balcombe made some confident catches as Prime held firm.

Abu and Henshall were battling hard in midfield to gain control of the game, with Taylor and Flamank looking dangerous outlets on the wings. Taylor had a good chance after cutting inside his man, but he fired wide.

Rusthall took the lead on 20 minutes. Firstly they won a corner after Davis was caught napping in possession and despite the full-back atoning by heading the first corner behind, the second cross was converted with Balcombe unable to keep the ball out.

The home side were starting to dominate and Balcombe had to make a couple of fine saves to keep Prime afloat, but after 30 minutes, Prime equalised with a goal out of nothing as Abu picked up the ball just inside Rusthall territory and proceeded to take a touch and then lob the keeper from fully 30 yards.

The goal breathed new life into Prime and with Buckland waking from his slumber with a couple of fine tackles, the defence was looking much more solid.

Barker had a shot blocked from a corner, before Prime took the lead just before the break. Balcombe's huge kick eluded the Rusthall backline and Abu outpaced the defence to slot home.

The job was only half-done and Rusthall had the slope in their favour going into the second half.

Prime were being pushed back but Balcombe continued to look assured despite pressure from the Rusthall forwards and the sun being right in his eyes. Cary and Walker continued to keep the strikers quiet and Davis was playing the ball out from the back well.

Mazurkiewicz came on for Buckland at right-back and immediately made a couple of strong tackles but he was helpless as Rusthall equalised after a long throw skimmed off Walker's head and trickled into the net.

Betts replaced Ferguson up front but initially he struggled to get into the game as Rusthall continued to have most of the play and their substitute should have put them in front when he was played in down the right and rolled the ball agonisingly past the far post.

The hard-working Flamank had taken a knock, so he was replaced on the hour mark by Senior who showed some silky touches and linked up well with Mazurkiewicz as Prime took their turn to apply some pressure.

They nearly took the lead when Barker charged down the keeper who had a 'Bruce Grobbelaar' moment - but he recovered just in time to claim the ball on the line as Barker slid in.

Prime went even closer 10 minutes from time after Davis' long throw was somehow headed wide at full-stretch by Taylor with the keeper beaten.

Betts was now firmly involved in the game and he sprinted past his marker and put a couple of dangerous crosses into the box, but Prime could not quite find the finishing touch and had to be content with a share of the spoils.

All in all, a decent point against a strong side who are expected to challenge for honours come April time.