Leamington : 1. Richard Morgan ©, 2. Jamie Towers, 3. Martin Hier, 4. Adam Cooper, 5. Guy Sanders, 6. Marcus Jackson, 7. Scott Hadland, 8. James Husband, 9. Justin Marsden, 10. Ben Mackey, 11. Ryan Parisi. Subs: 12. Liam Reynolds, 14. Oluwusami Morgan, 15. Josh Blake, 16. Martin Thompson, 17. Andy Harper.

Goal: Sanders (49)

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Richard Brown, 5. Lee Barrow ©, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Phil Rowe, 8. Richard Beale, 9. Craig Marshall, 10. Junior Brown, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Grant Beckett (for Barnfield 78 mins), 14. Ian Cooper, 15. James Knott (for Marshall 78 mins), 16. Rob Holdcroft, 17. Karl Johnson.

It proved to be one match too far for Rushall Olympic as their promotion hopes were finally ended on a rain drenched evening in Warwickshire as Leamington progressed into Saturday's Play-Off Final against Stourbridge thanks to a narrow single goal victory over the Pics at their New Windmill Ground watched by a crowd of 783.

Within the first couple of minutes Richard Brown put colleague Tony Breeden under pressure when an ill-advised back pass on a rain soddened pitch held up and the Pics stoppers rushed clearance only landed as far as Ben Mackey. Fortunately for the visitors their custodian was able to make a timely save at the striker's feet to snuff out the imminent danger.

During the early stages of the contest the visitors were struggling to contain a Leamington side, cheered on by an advantageous large home support base. However, after Olympic weathered the early onslaught Lee Barrow proceeded to waste two free kicks in good positions within the space of a couple of minutes of one another.

The first period continued to move from end to end with neither side giving very much away in what were atrocious conditions for football. However, arguably the best opportunity of the half came on 32 minutes when Neil Barnfield stormed into the right side of the box and after spotting Leamington 'keeper Richard Morgan out of position, only succeeded in flashing the ball across the face of goal, when more subtlety through a measured strike on target would undoubtedly have produced greater dividends.

At the other end Ben Mackey was predictably the Warwickshire outfits chief danger man, but did prove himself fallible after progressing clean through the middle and ultimately sending the ball straight over the bar. Meanwhile, after Rushall skipper Lee Barrow conceded a free-kick just outside the box and received a caution for his troubles, from the resulting award Justin Marsden likewise sent the award well over the woodwork.

Rushall paid the penalty for some sluggishness coming out of the starting blocks for the commencement of the second period when within five minutes of the restart a corner from Leamington's left was only half cleared and Guy Sanders was on hand to promptly fire the ball through a crowded goal mouth past the unsighted Tony Breeden to give the home side a crucial advantage.

Despite the setback the visitors continued to battle on gamely in their attempts to reassert a foot hold in the contest, but they had to wait until the 75th minute before really troubling the home defence when the pace of Lee Gough saw the right wing back break through the rearguard, only to see his excellent strike denied by an excellent save from 'keeper Richard Morgan in the home goal.

Try as they might the Pics never quite had that ruthless cutting edge that could have changed the pattern of the game, but none the less Paul Holleran's men have undoubtedly enjoyed a fantastic campaign that has seen them progress from being relegation candidates to a genuine top five outfit in the space of just 15 months. More importantly the club now have a superb base on which to build upon for the 2008-09 campaign, when hopefully Rushall can take their on field development a stage further.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Richard Brown, 5. Lee Barrow ©, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Phil Rowe, 8. Richard Beale, 9. Craig Marshall, 10. Junior Brown, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Karl Johnson (for Gough 87 mins), James Knott (for J.Brown 69 mins), 15. Ian Cooper, 16. Grant Beckett (for Rowe 67 mins), 17. Chris Brindley.

Evesham United : 1. Joe Clarke, 2. Anthony Watson, 3. Michael Hayden, 4. Steve Hands, 5. Steve Luckett, 6. Steve Lutz ©, 7. Danny Scheppel, 8. Mark Hands, 9. Mark Owen, 10. Danny Lennon, 11. Simon Fitter. Subs: 12. Paul Bonar (for M.Hands 78 mins), 14. Allando Davis (for Lennon 78 mins), 15. Stuart Warren, 16. Josh Gould (for Fitter 89 mins), 17. Ben Parry.

Rushall Olympic ended their scheduled league campaign with an outstanding twenty third clean sheet from forty games as they ground out the single point they required against newly crowned Champions Evesham United in order to deservedly claim fifth position in the standings and secure the all important final promotion play-off place.

Despite having already clinched the Championship, Evesham were in no mood to rest on their laurels and began the encounter eagerly pushing forward in search of an early opening. After only four minutes they forced a free-kick some 25 yards out in a central position and Simon Fitter curled the resulting award narrowly shy of the top left corner.

A minute later and Rushall responded through Richard Beale who dragged a 30 yard low left footed drive wide of the right post.

On eight minutes United caught their hosts napping when top scorer Mark Owen was presented with not on but two golden opportunities to give his side the lead but ultimately pulled the ball wide of the right post from 15 yards.

As the home side began to ease their way gradually back into the contest, only a fine block from defender Michael Hayden prevented Lee Gough from shooting goalward from 15 yards after progressing menacingly into the right side of Evesham's penalty area.

Rushall's defence waited in vain for an unforthcoming whistle from referee Mr. Dudley on 37 minutes after home skipper Lee Barrow appeared to have been tripped from behind by front runner Danny Lennon while they both chased a through ball deep into Olympic territory. However, as play was allowed to continue, much to the consternation of the home contingent, the ball was eventually blazed wastefully wide of the left post by one of Evesham's attacking horde.

Right on the stroke of half time and the home side created for themselves the ideal opportunity to take a crucial advantage into the break. As Dave Haywood flighted an excellent probing deep centre into the far post from the left channel, Craig Marshall rose highest above his marker 10 yards out, but could only plant a firm header wide of the top right corner.

Olympic opened the second period by going straight on the offensive and within eleven minutes of the restart a telling long ball pumped into the Evesham box was met by Craig Marshall whose downward header had 'keeper Joe Clarke at full stretch to his right to turn the awkward bouncing ball around the post for a corner.

The visitors responded in the 65th minute when the dangerous Mark Owen found himself in a good position on the edge of the box and as the striker swung a boot at the ball the effort went straight into the midriff of Tony Breeden in the home goal for a simple claim.

As play moved swiftly to the other end, through a Rushall counter offensive, Neil Barnfield found himself hauled to the ground 20 yards out and from the resulting free-kick skipper Lee Barrow's pacey strike had to be smartly tipped over his crossbar by United's stopper.

During the remainder of the contest defences were very much on top, although Olympic continued to make most of the running in their search for a goal that would have made the difference between a fourth or a fifth place finish in the league standings. However, the stalemate was not to be broken and as Evesham celebrated the official handover of the Division One Midlands championship shield, their hosts were left to look forward to the prospect of a mouth watering promotion play-off semi-final at runners-up Leamington on Tuesday evening, kick-off 7.45 pm.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Richard Brown, 5. Lee Barrow ©, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Phil Rowe, 8. Richard Beale, 9. Craig Marshall, 10. Junior Brown, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. James Knott (for J.Brown 75 mins), 14. Grant Beckett (for Barnfield 79 mins), 15. Karl Johnson, 16. Neil Grainger (for Marshall 76 mins), 17. Rob Holdcroft.

Goal: Barrow (57), Marshall (66), J.Brown (71)

Leighton Town : 1. Liam Jahn, 2. Andrew Fagan, 3. Jack Copson, 4. Sam Chapman, 5. Peter Clifford ©, 6. Liam Howley, 7. Scott Thomas, 9. Ben Gallant, 10. Leon Cashman, 11. Julian Old. Subs: 12. Bilal Hassan (for Chapman 68 mins), 14. Aiden Denton, 15. Louis Norton.

A super second half sharp shooting show propelled Rushall Olympic firmly into the driving seat for one of the promotion play-off places after claiming an excellent 3-0 success at home to tough tenth placed opponents Leighton Town.

The result meant that the Pics leapt above Sutton Coldfield Town into fourth position in the table and are now virtually assured of a sixth place finish, with a single point against afternoon against newly crowned champions Evesham United on Saturday now arguably good enough to guarantee a play-off slot - as long as Chesham United fail to win their final game at Dunstable Town by more than a seven goal margin.

Leighton's pre-match preparations were hardly ideal after the visitors found themselves stuck in motorway traffic heading north and didn't arrive at Dales Lane until around 20 minutes prior to the scheduled kick-off time. However, the delay didn't appear to affect them one bit as they put their hosts on the back foot during the opening exchanges with their at times physical approach. Indeed, the Pics attacking outlets of Junior Brown and Craig Marshall were both receiving little change from the visitor's rearguard and were also afforded scant protection from the match officials in the process.

However, little in the way of goal scoring opportunities had presented themselves through the majority of the first period and the home side had to wait until the 38th minute for their best move of the half when a glorious ball lofted over the top of Leighton's defence from Junior Brown down the right channel sent Craig Marshall racing clear, but his strike partner could only fire marginally over from the edge of the box.

At the other end, moments later, Olympic had their skipper Lee Barrow to thank for a fine blocking challenge on James McNulty barely eight yards out as the visitors worked the ball dangerously behind the home sides defensive line.

Rushall emerged for the second period in a determined frame of mind as they set about the task of claiming a crucial victory to boost their promotion play-off challenge. Within five minutes of the restart Richard Beale's corner curled in from the right was met by a bullet like header from Lee Barrow, but the danger was deflected out for another flag kick.

The defining moment of the game arrived three minutes prior to the hour mark when Leighton skipper Peter Clifford was adjudged to have man handled a rival attacker to yield a free-kick some 35 yards out. His opposite number Lee Barrow promptly placed the ball down and drove the resulting award goalwards, only to see Town custodian Liam Jahn make a calamitous mistake by inexplicably failing to make a relatively simple claim at head height and the ball went straight through his grasp into the back of the net.

With Rushall's tails now well and truly up Phil Rowe was the next player to chance his arm from distance as his 30 yard drive was this time safely held low down by the visitors' stopper.

The Pics doubled their advantage on 67 minutes when a moment of sheer class from Craig Marshall yielded a deserved second goal for Olympic. Full of confidence the front runner easily got the better of Peter Clifford on the left touchline by cleverly lifting the ball over his marker, before chesting it down, shaking off the defenders attentions and accelerating towards the edge of the box, from where he unleashed a venomous drive that rocketed inside the near post of 'keeper Liam Jahn for a stunning strike.

Eighteen minutes from full time and Junior Brown was not about to be outshone by his strike partner as he effectively sealed arguably the most important three points of Olympic's campaign so far with a spectacular individual goal of his own. As the forward tore down the left flank he instinctively shook off the attentions of his marker, before cutting inside to the edge of the box and lamping an unstoppable howitzer inside the near post of the Leighton custodian for the second time in five minutes.

Dunstable Town : 1. Paul Taylor, 2. Ross Hanley, 3. Leigh Harrington, 4. Nick Nolan, 5. Jack Nelly, 6. Matt Baldry, 7. Russell Preston, 8. Neil Perrin, 9. Tom Hayes, 10. Chris Marsh, 11. Aaron Flood. Subs: 12. Mick Moss, 14. Ross McLauchlin, 15. Mark Shadbolt. (Substitutions not noted)

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Richard Brown, 5. Lee Barrow ©, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Phil Rowe, 8. Richard Beale, 9. Craig Marshall, 10. Junior Brown, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. James Knott (for Marshall 75 mins), 14. Ian Cooper (for J.Brown 89 mins), 15. Karl Johnson, 16. Rob Holdcroft, 17. Grant Beckett.

Goal: Marshall (44)

Rushall Olympic hauled themselves back up into the final promotion play-of position with a hard fought single goal victory at Dunstable Town as the Pics completed their away programme with another clean sheet that saw them end up with the best defensive record of any side on their travels.

Rushall began brightly on another crucial day in their quest for a place amongst the Division One Midlands promotion play-off positions.

On 17 minutes Dunstable came under a spell of sustained pressure and twice in quick succession a home defender came to the rescue of his colleagues by hooking clear off the line. An initial ball from the right played in by Lee Gough picked out Richard Beale whose brisk drive was cleared only as far as Junior Brown whose return strike was similarly scrambled away.

As the first half progressed Olympic had their noses in front every step of the way, but at times their approach play was somewhat tentative as nerves began to creep in due to the relative importance of the game. However, the visitors received a major boost on the stroke of half time when Phil Rowe brought the ball under control down the left channel and picked out Craig Marshall with a pin point centre and the front runner powered home a header over 'keeper Paul Taylor to give his side the advantage at just about the perfect time.

During the early stages of the second period Dunstable began to display a far more physical side to their game as both Lee Gough and Junior Brown found themselves victims of hefty challenges. However, as the game continued to move from one end to the other, little in the way of outright goal scoring opportunities were created as the hour mark passed without major incident.

On 66 minutes, with the visitors firmly on the offensive in search of a second decisive goal, Junior Brown took up possession in an advanced position and as the impressive Craig Marshall took the ball off his strike partner the front runner sent a rasping drive inches wide of the upright as Town breathed a sigh of relief.

The Pics continued to control the remainder of the second period as their solid defensive unit hardly gave their hosts a sniff at goal during the entire contest, with 'keeper Tony Breeden rarely being troubled as he went on to claim his twenty first clean sheet from the thirty eight games of the league campaign to date.

Rushall now enter their final two games of the campaign knowing that the eventual outcome of the season will now firmly be within their own hands.

Malvern Town : 1. Craig Humphries, 2. Jay Thomas, 3. Aaron Drake, 4. Danny Moon, 5. Nick Clayton, 6. Paul Edwards, 7. Andy Crowther, 8. Jamie Hyde ©, 9. Chris Allen, 10. Ed Lyons, 11. Mark Goodman. Subs: 12. Matt Morris, 14. Bryan Craven (for Lyons 84 mins), 15. Adam Harris, 16. Rob Cullen, 17. Nial Hackling.

Goal: Goodman (48)

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Richard Beale, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Richard Brown, 5. Lee Barrow ©, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Grant Beckett, 8. Ian Cooper, 9. Junior Brown, 10. James Knott, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Phil Rowe (for Barnfield 71mins), 13. Mark Gayle, 14. Rob Holdcroft (for Beckett 65 minutes), 15. Karl Johnson, 16. Craig Marshall (for Knott 71 mins).

Goal: J.Brown (20)

Rushall Olympic's promotion play-off hopes were dealt a significant blow after Malvern Town belied their lowly league position to overturn a narrow first half deficit at their Langland Stadium to claim a deserved share of the spoils. As a consequence of the result the Pics grasp on the final play off-position was loosened further on a day where all three teams above them won, as did Chasetown who drew level on points behind them.

Rushall manager Paul Holleran rang the changes following the previous weeks defeat at Leamington as Richard Beale reverted to the unfamiliar role of right wing back in place of the injured Lee Gough, while Grant Beckett and Ian Cooper were drafted into midfield as Phil Rowe dropped to the bench. Meanwhile, front runner Junior Brown was recalled at the expense of Craig Marshall, as fellow striker Neil Grainger missed out on the squad altogether due to illness.

The first quarter of an hour saw Olympic quickly push forward in search of an opening and on 17 minutes they enjoyed their best opportunity so far as Grant Beckett sent a rising 25 yard drive over the crossbar.

On 19 minutes the Pics deservedly opened their account when Richard Beale took up possession and drifted out to the left side of the box before delivering a telling low centre into the danger zone that Junior Brown clinically dispatched from 8 yards.

As the home side responded on 24 minutes full back Aaron Drake attempted a highly ambitious 40 yard free-kick from the left flank that sneaked through a crowded penalty area periphery into the hands of 'keeper Tony Breeden.

Eight minutes later and Rushall responded in kind through Ian Cooper who unleashed a venomous 35 yard drive that almost saw the Malvern custodian back over his own goal line with the ball in his hands after making a claim, but appeared to be steadied by his left hand post.

Olympic emerged for the second period in an extremely lethargic manner and within three minutes of the restart they paid a hefty price for their laxity as the home side struck back to restore parity. After a debatable free kick was awarded in Town's favour on the edge of the 'D', Mark Goodman stepped up for the set piece and promptly curled the ball home with some pace into the left side of the goal past a static Tony Breeden.

As the earlier fine spring day quickly reverted to an icy swirling wind blowing around the Malvern Hills, coupled with a spell of driving rain, the visitors continued to look so uncharacteristically sluggish as Malvern effectively pegged Olympic firmly back in their own territory.

The spell of home superiority only began to subside when Rushall's management team finally decided to make a change in personnel as Grant Beckett, James Knott and Neil Barnfield made way for Rob Holdcroft, Phil Rowe and Craig Marshall twenty minutes before the end.

Now it was the visitors turned to go back on the offensive and on 78 minutes defender Richard Brown played a fine pass into Craig Marshall, but the front runner's first touch was lacking and the ball eventually bobbled wide of the right post. A minute later and the ball sat up nicely for Phil Rowe, but the midfielder sent his 25 yard crisp well wide of Craig Humphries' left hand post.

With seven minutes remaining only a brilliant finger tip save by the Malvern custodian somehow kept out Richard Beale's looping left footed effort from 16 yards by tipping it over the bar for a corner kick.

As Rushall pushed further forward in search of a crucial three points during the closing stages they forced corner kicks in quick succession, from one of which Craig Marshall spurned the visitor's best opportunity for a winner when the striker's 12 yard looping header dropped just over the bar.

Leamington : 1. Richard Morris, 2. Jamie Towers, 3. Arron Parkinson ©, 4. Adam Cooper, 5. Guy Sanders, 6. Marcus Jackson, 7. Scott Hadland, 8. James Husband, 9. Justin Marsden, 10. Martin Thompson, 11. Ryan Parisi. Subs: 12. Ben Mackey (for Thompson 61 mins), 14. Robbie Beard (for Marsden 80 mins), 15. Craig Dutton, 16. Martin Hier, 17. Shay Morgan.

Goal: Mackey (75)

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Richard Brown, 5. Lee Barrow ©, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Phil Rowe, 8. Richard Beale, 9. Craig Marshall, 10. James Knott, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Junior Brown (for Marshall 66 mins), 14. Ian Cooper (for Beale 72 minutes), 15. Neil Grainger (for Rowe 82 mins), 16. Karl Johnson, 17. Rob Holdcroft.

Rushall Olympic's day ended in disappointment as their own promotion play-off hopes were slightly dented by a single goal defeat at second placed Leamington, after the Warwickshire hosts claimed a somewhat fortuitous deflected winner with 15 minutes remaining when the game appeared to be heading for a draw.

It was a tentative opening from both sides in the Division One Midlands match of the day as the high-flying Brakes entertained the in-form Pics, who began the match in fourth spot. During the first 45 minutes it was an entirely even affair with neither side creating much in the way of clear cut opportunities, but none the less the encounter remained an entertaining spectacle for the large crowd.

As Olympic opened the game with the wind in their favour, on 16 minutes Olympic skipper Lee Barrow sent an ambitious 35-yard free-kick sailing over the home woodwork, while three minutes later the visitors forced two corners in successive minutes - the first of which was ultimately scrambled away by the Brakes defence as a header from striker James Knott went close.

At the other end Leamington's only real foray into opposition territory with an end product during the opening half came when Jamie Towers sent a cross-come-shot over Tony Breeden's woodwork.

Five minutes prior to the interval and Rushall enjoyed their best opportunity of the game so far when an excellent move saw Richard Beale and Craig Marshall combine, with the latter delivering a low centre into the danger zone that was flicked on by James Knott to Phil Rowe, but the midfielder drove the ball straight into the arms of 'keeper Richard Morris.

With the strong tail wind now firmly in the home sides favour, Leamington began the second period by pinning their guests into their own half for lengthy periods. However, although Olympic still looked reasonably comfortable, just after the hour mark their hosts almost took the lead when substitute Ben Mackey's drive was well parried by 'keeper Tony Breeden only as far as Jamie Towers, whose rising snap shot struck the cross bar.Fortunately for Rushall the referees whistle had already sounded for an off-side decision.

Almost predictably the Brakes eventually turned their increased majority of possession to their advantage when on 75 minutes danger man Ben Mackey tried his luck from 30 yards out with what appeared to be a miss-hit effort. However, as the ball bounced and proceeded to take a wicked deflection off defender Richard Brown it deceived 'keeper Tony Breeden, sending him the wrong way and could only look on as the ball rolled agonisingly into the back of the net.

Overall it was a disappointing end to the Pics excellent eight game unbeaten run that had also coincided with five consecutive victories on their travels, but with at least a ninth place finish in Division One Midlands now guaranteed they enter the final four games of what has been a long hard campaign with a promotion play-off place still very much within their grasp.

Barton Rovers : 1. Jack Rashid, 2. Tony Fontenelle, 3. Dan Mead, 4. Leon Hibbert, 5. Derek Brown, 6. Chris Wild ©, 7. Robbie Kean, 8. Garry Sippetts, 9. Tony Thorpe, 10. Steve Sinclair, 11. Frazer Toms. Subs: 12. Brett Connelly, 14. Luke Knight, 15. Junior George, 16. Dave Tilbury, 17. Stuart Strange. (substitutions not noted)

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Richard Brown, 5. Lee Barrow ©, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Phil Rowe, 8. Richard Beale, 9. Craig Marshall, 10. James Knott, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Neil Grainger (for Marshall 63 mins), 14. Junior Brown, 15. Grant Beckett, 16. Karl Johnson (for Knott 85 mins), 17. Chris Brindley.

Goals: Marshall (7), Beale (46), Granger (78)

Three strikes straight from the top drawer guided Rushall Olympic to an emphatic three goal victory against highly fancied Barton Rovers at Sharpenhoe Road to complete the double over their Bedfordshire hosts and consolidate fourth place in the table as the three teams behind them in the standings all took three points.

Rushall manager Paul Holleran made a couple of changes to the side that defeated Bedworth United at the weekend as Craig Marshall was promoted into the starting line-up in place of the rested Junior Brown, while Phil Rowe replaced Grant Beckett after the midfielder pulled up during the warm up.

As has so often happened this season, the visitors enjoyed the perfect start in the seventh minute when they broke forward down the right flank through Lee Gough who left his marker for dead. After making his way to the by-line the wing back delivered an excellent centre to the far post where Craig Marshall powered in a bullet like header past the startled stopper Jack Rashid.

A minute prior to the opening goal and Pics 'keeper Tony Breeden had done extremely well to claim the ball under his crossbar from a free kick with the full weight of the burly Barton attack bearing down up him.

As Olympic remained very much on the offensive in the 13th minute, Richard Beale's left footed drive had to be smartly pushed around the near post for a corner by the Barton custodian.

On 27 minutes the visitors almost doubled their advantage when a superb piece of individual skill from James Knott saw the striker flick the ball up with his left foot, on to his right and then juggled it back on to his left before sending a tremendous volley skimming narrowly over the crossbar for a corner after taking a slight deflection on the way through.

As the conclusion to the first half approached Rushall were still very much in control of their own destiny as they continued to boss proceedings, but on 38 minutes Neil Barnfield found himself cautioned for a timely clip of Garry Sippetts' heels that prevented the midfielder from make telling inroads deep into the Pics territory.

On the stroke of half time Olympic had their custodian cynically taken out by midfielder Frazer Toms, who required a couple of minutes of treatment, but curiously referee Mr. Scott failed to caution the offender.

The commencement of the second saw the visitors claim a crucial second goal to double their advantage thanks to a brilliant individual strike from top scorer Richard Beale who in the process grabbed his 16th goal of what has become a fantastic campaign. As the midfielder took the ball down the left channel outside Rovers' full back he cleverly cut back inside past his marker to the edge of the box and unleashed a tremendous low drive that flew past the despairing dive of 'keeper Jack Rashid.

In a similar vein to the first half, Olympic were very much in the ascendancy with stopper Tony Breeden rarely being tested. On 67 minutes they were presented with an ideal opportunity to make the game safe when substitute Neil Grainger found himself clear of the off-side trap, but instead of playing to the whistle the striker hesitated and allowed the home 'keeper time to race out of his area and make a timely clearance.

As the visitors continued to press hard for the decisive third goal, skipper Lee Barrow twice sent free-kicks from 25 yards out just over the woodwork within the space of a couple of minutes.

With 11 minutes remaining Olympic effectively sealed all three points when a lofted pass over the top of Barton's ungainly back line sent Neil Grainger racing clear. Despite the ball twice bouncing awkwardly up at the front runner, he nodded it down to perfection on each occasion before steaming goalwards. Although substitute Junior George was in hot pursuit, the striker kept his cool and from the edge of the box drove home mercilessly into the bottom right corner with a superb finish.

This priceless fifth consecutive away victory took the Pics to within two points of third placed Sutton Coldfield Town with a game in hand and also extended their unbeaten run to eight games. As a result, Rushall's forthcoming weekend crunch match at second placed Leamington now looks to be an even more important fixture that could well help define their promotion play-off ambitions.