Bishops Cleeve: 1. Sam Gilder, 2. Lyndon Tomkins, 3. Richard Mansell, 4. John Meadows, 5. Joe Egleton, 6. Allton Axton, 7. Matt Collins, 8. Keith Knight, 9. Kevin Slack, 10. Luke Corbett, 11. Michael Davis. Subs: 12. James Vercesi, 14. Kacey Johnstone, 15. Dan Shatford. (Substitutions not noted).

Goal: Shatford (86 mins-pen)

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Karl Johnson, 5. Lee Barrow ©, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Grant Beckett, 8. Richard Beale, 9. Craig Marshall, 10. Junior Brown, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Paul McMahon (for Brown 83 mins), 14. Phil Rowe, 15. Rob Holdcroft (for Beale 81 mins), 16. Chris Brindley, 17. Luke Harling.

Goals: Tomkins-og (30 mins), Beale (81 mins)

Rushall Olympic got their push towards the promotion play-off places firmly back on track with an excellent win at fifth placed Bishops Cleeve to complete the double over their Gloucestershire hosts.

Pics manager Paul Holleran was forced into making one change to the side that lost narrowly at Aylesbury United on Saturday as defender Lee Barrow returned to the line-up in place of the injured Ian Cooper after missing the previous four games.

Rushall commenced the game much the stronger against one of the leagues current form sides who went into the game on the back of four consecutive victories and during the opening 20 minutes Olympic soon began to pin their hosts firmly into their own half.

Two minutes before the half hour mark and the visitors were gifted the lead in the most bizarre of circumstances as Dave Haywood played an inviting ball into the hole for Junior Brown to run on to. However, defender Lyndon Tomkins anticipated the danger and sent a firm diving header towards his own goal. Unfortunately for Bishops Cleeve, their 'keeper Sam Gilder appeared to be in a world of his own and while standing motionless, eventually realised too late that the ball had gone beyond him and watched it trickle over the goal line.

The home sides cause was not helped minutes later as star striker Kevin Slack was forced to depart the field injured and as Rushall continued to press home their advantage, twice in quick succession the Bishops Cleeve defence had to make last ditch clearances off the line to prevent the Pics surging further ahead.

During the second period Olympic continued to maintain their overall superiority, but within six minutes of the commencement of the second period the visitors had a let off when Cleeve front runner Luke Corbett was gifted a free header barely six yards out, but custodian Tony Breeden pulled off a breath taking point blank save.

A minute later Rushall responded in kind, but the home stopper was equally alert in pushing Craig Marshall's fierce drive around his post for a corner.

As the Pics continued to exert pressure on 68 minutes a great run from the half way line by the industrious Craig Marshall ended with a fine drive being tipped over for a corner by 'keeper Sam Gilder.

Although Bishops Cleeve then ultimately proceeded to produce something of a fight back, as Olympic were forced to weather the storm for the next ten minutes, the 80th minute saw the visitors deservedly double their advantage. An excellent three-man move saw Neil Barnfield and Junior Brown combine to set up top scorer Richard Beale in acres of space who proceeded to advance on goal and slip the ball expertly past 'keeper Sam Gilder into the bottom right corner to claim his tenth goal of the season from midfield.

In the second minute of injury time the match referee offered the Gloucestershire outfit a feint life line when the ball was blasted straight at one of Rushall's defenders, who little chance to move out of the way and incredibly a deliberate hand ball offence was cited, resulting in a penalty kick that substitute Dan Shatford fired past Tony Breeden. However, it was all too little, too late as the Pics saw out the remaining stoppage time to climb back up in to ninth place in the league standings, just four points adrift of the play-off zone with several games still in hand.

Aylesbury United : 1. Vincent, 2. Catell, 3. Mealor, 4. Leach, 5. Kavanagh, 6. Stevens, 7. Nicholls, 8. Swonnell, 9. Faulkner, 10. Shed, 11. Feeley. Subs: 12. Henney, 14. Graham, 15. Liburd, 16. Silletoe. (Substitutions not noted)

Goal: Faulkner (57 mins)

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Karl Johnson, 5. Ian Cooper, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Grant Beckett, 8. Richard Beale, 9. Craig Marshall, 10. Junior Brown, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Paul McMahon (for Beal 72 mins), 14. Rob Holdcroft (for Cooper 61 mins), 15. Phil Rowe (for Beckett 80 mins), 16. Chris Brindley, 17. Luke Harling.

Rushall Olympic slipped to a single goal defeat at promotion chasing Aylesbury United on an afternoon where the match officials influence on the game proved to be the main difference between the two sides. The visitors were certainly less than happy at the way the Ducks were allowed to grab their goal after taking advantage of an unforthcoming whistle following what appeared to be a foul challenge on a defender - but the Pics had good reason to feel aggrieved after they were also denied a cast iron first half penalty and had a goal disallowed to boot.

In a first half littered by one petty foul after another, which didn't allow any decent football to be played, the first real opportunity of the game fell to Rushall when a brisk shot from Dave Haywood 20 yards out went just the wrong side of the upright. On 27 minutes Aylesbury responded through Nicholls who ran some 25 yards unchallenged before unleashing a drive six yards outside the box that also flew wide of the target.

Seven minutes later the game suffered its first controversial moment when the Pics Neil Barnfield appeared to be blatantly bundled over in the box, but amazingly referee Mr. Mudge waved away the visitors appeals, with Grant Beckett ultimately being cautioned for taking his protests too far.

On the stroke of half time Junior Brown went agonisingly close for Olympic as he just failed to get his head on a pin point centre from the left and United 'keeper Vincent managed to tip the danger away for a corner kick.

Twelve minutes into the second period and more controversy reigned as Olympic's Karl Johnson appeared to be deliberately fouled on the edge of his box, but the referee allowed play as front runner Faulkner proceeded to hook the ball past the wrong footed Tony Breeden to give his side a somewhat fortuitous lead.

Referee Mr. Mudge failed to endear himself to the travelling contingent further moments later when from the restart Junior Brown had the ball in the back of the net, only to see his celebrations halted as an infringement had apparently been spotted in the build up and the goal was disallowed.

As Rushall continued to press on 64 minutes Aylesbury survived a huge let off when a defender's attempted header back toward his own goal was missed by the custodian, ricocheted off the woodwork straight into the path of Craig Marshall, but forward was surprised by the opportunity and headed over the bar with a virtually open goal at his mercy.

On 67 minutes a throw in from the left for the home side was flicked on by Faulkner into the path of Shed who sent the ball just over the bar. Two minutes later Olympic's Neil Barnfield was caught in possession on the edge of his box, but fortunately Faulkner also dallied far too long on the ball and the opportunity was gone.

As the game moved into the final quarter of an hour Aylesbury's Faulkner was again offered far too much time and space, but the forward was once more guilty of wasting a potential chance for his side as the Pics defence mopped the danger up.

All in all it was disappointing afternoon for the visitors who were looking to push on and challenge for the right to enter the promotion play-off zone, but in the end Aylesbury can count themselves very fortunate to have claimed all three points - mainly thanks to the intervention of the match officials.

Sutton Coldfield Town: 1. Chris Gemmell, 2. John Daniels, 3. Matt Jackson, 4. Phil Male ©, 5. Ed Booth, 6. Neil Watkins, 7. Nathan Moran, 8. Craig Owen, 9. Justin Rowe, 10. Craig Thomas, 11. Leon Doughty. Subs: 12. Adam Hughes (for Male 80 mins), 14. Jake Murrall, 15. Sam Wilson, 16. Jason Ramsay, 17. Jim Quiggin (for Jackson 73 mins).

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Karl Johnson, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Richard Brown ©, 5. Ian Cooper, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Lee Gough, 8. Richard Beale, 9. Craig Marshall, 10. Junior Brown, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Rob Holdcroft (for Cooper 86 mins), 14. Grant Beckett (for R.Brown 46 mins), 15. Paul McMahon (for Marshall 80 mins), 16. Chris Brindley, 17. Mark Gayle.

Goals: Gemmell (42-o.g.), Marshall 47

Another stirring performance from Rushall Olympic, with two goals in the space of five minutes either side of the interval and a twenty-second clean sheet of the entire campaign to boot, ended Sutton Coldfield Town's proud fourteen game unbeaten home record in league action at a frost laden Coles Lane.

The Pics travelled to one of the Division One Midland form teams of the moment who knew that a victory over their guests would lift the Royals into second place in the table. However, Rushall manager Paul Holleran was once again buoyed by the ability to pick the same tried and tested starting line-up for the third consecutive game.

During the first 30 minutes there was little to write home about as both sides jostled for territorial advantage, with neither custodian being tested to any great extent. However, the home side came closest to breaking the deadlock on 37 minutes when a centre from the right was flicked just over the top left corner of the woodwork from 15 yards out by midfielder Craig Owen.

As Olympic occasionally failed to look after the ball adequately enough when in possession, Sutton spurned an ideal opportunity to surge into the lead a minute prior to the interval when wide man John Daniels outstripped the visitors defence down the right flank and delivered a low centre into Justin Rowe, but the Royals 18-goal top scorer somehow sliced his drive wide of the left upright from 12 yards.

With just three minutes remaining until the interval the home side found themselves firmly on the back foot when a Richard Beale corner from the right was curled into the danger zone where 'keeper Chris Gemmell made a real hash of making a claim under pressure and merely contrived to paddle the ball over his own goal line as Matt Jackson desperately attempted to hook the threat clear.

The goal was just the boost the Pics required and as they finished the first period the stronger a good interchange of passes between the impressive Craig Marshall and strike partner Junior Brown saw the latter send an ambitious 25 yard straight into the grasp of the Town stopper.

Rushall suffered a blow at the commencement of the second period when skipper Richard Brown failed to emerge from the dressing room due to the reoccurrence of an old injury and was replaced by midfielder Grant Beckett as the Pics reverted to a 4-4-2 formation, while Niki Preston took up the captain's armband. Despite the reshuffle the visitors were certainly in no mood to relinquish their lead and on 47 minutes left Sutton reeling as they went on to deservedly double their advantage. A ball punted forward was chased down, almost as a lost cause by Craig Marshall, whose immense efforts forced an error from the home defence that allowed the front runner to unleash a rasping from the edge of the box that squirmed under the body of the exposed Chris Gemmell to claim his first goal for the club.

Although some concerns were raised as to whether the match would actually go its full distance, due to the condition of the rapidly freezing Coles Lane pitch, particularly down the stand side, Olympic's Junior Brown almost added a third goal with 17 minutes remaining as the Royals custodian pulled off a fine save to divert the strikers bicycle kick around his right post.

As the match progressed to a conclusion Sutton threw everything they had at their guests, but Rushall's increasingly secure defensive unit once again held firm in the face of a potential onslaught as the home sides attacking threat was effectively smothered out, even in the six minutes of injury time that were eventually added on.

All-in-all it was another excellent performance from Rushall with the success sending the Pics up to ninth place in the league standings, just four points off the promotion play-off places with several games in hand on their opponents.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Karl Johnson, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Richard Brown ©, 5. Ian Cooper, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Lee Gough, 8. Richard Beale, 9. Craig Marshall, 10. Junior Brown, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Rob Holdcroft (for Cooper 83 mins), 14. Paul McMahon (for Marshall 71 mins), 15. Grant Beckett (for Beale 71 mins), 16. Chris Brindley, 17. Mark Gayle.

Goal: Barnfield (84)

Romulus: 1. Mark Shiels, 2. Aaron Daniels, 3. Lee Hatfield, 4. Michael Batchelor, 5. Peter Folkes, 6. Jason Lanns, 7. Andre Francis, 8. Richard Batchelor, 9. Tyrone Fagan ©, 10. Leon Mitchell, 11. Lei Brown. Subs: 12. Seb Hamilton (for Dunkley 44 mins), 14. Roy Dunkley (for Mitchell 34 mins), 15. Richard Allen (for Lanns 85 mins), 16. Paul Hunter.

Rushall Olympic's concerted push towards the top half of the table and a potential crack at the promotion play-off places gathered momentum at Dales Lane following an extremely hard fought single goal victory over neighbours Romulus.

Looking to avenge two previous defeats already inflicted on the Pics by their guests this term, manager Paul Holleran opted to name the same starting eleven that had performed so effectively at Leighton Town during midweek.

Following a cagey opening from both sides, it was Romulus who were the first to threaten on 13 minutes when Lei Brown picked up possession some 20 yards out and unleashed a venomous volley that flashed marginally wide of the left upright with 'keeper Tony Breeden at full stretch.

As the first half progressed both sides became embroiled in a crusade for midfield territorial superiority, with goal scoring opportunities very much at a premium. Indeed, it took Rushall until the 25th minute to register their first worthwhile effort as Craig Marshall faced up to his marker, before feigning left and right to create some space for himself on the right face of the eighteen yard box and proceeded to drive the ball low and hard past the foot of the far post, taking a slight deflection on the way through for a corner kick.

Around the half hour mark the Roms were very fortunate to still be playing within eleven men when Richard Batchelor was involved in a tussle with fellow midfielder Ian Cooper and appeared raise a hand to his adversary. However, referee Mr. Granda took the easy way out and opted to simply caution both players instead.

On 34 minutes Romulus were forced into a change of personnel as ex-Olympic striker Leon Mitchell pulled up with an injury and was replaced by Roy Dunkley. Unfortunately for the visitors their luck failed to improve when within ten minutes they found themselves sending on Seb Hamilton in place of their original replacement, who had to be helped off the pitch and was ultimately stretchered off at the end of the first period.

The second period continued in very much the same vein to that of the first with both sides expending most of their energies in midfield toil. However, within five minutes of the restart a free-kick was played into Richard Beale who progressed towards the left by-line and pulled the ball intelligently back into the path of Junior Brown, but the front runner's weak first time effort was easily held by visiting 'keeper Mark Shiels.

The home side made a double substitution on 71 minutes with Paul McMahon and Grant Beckett entering the fray in place of Craig Marshall and Richard Beale as Rushall continued to dictate the tempo.

As the game appeared to be ambling towards a increasingly inevitable conclusion, the hosts sprang and huge surprise on their guests when from out of nowhere a ball played into Junior Brown was headed into the path of Neil Barnfield some 25 yards out and in a flash the midfielder executed a breathtaking volley that rocketed past the stunned Romulus custodian.

In the second minute of injury time Olympic almost grabbed a second goal when that man Neil Barnfield advanced forward and directed the ball wide of the left woodwork from 20 yards, before the Pics saw out a further four minutes of overtime added on by the match referee without incidence to claim an impressive twelfth clean sheet from their twenty-two league games this season.

Leighton Town: 1. Maarman, 2. Fagan, 3. Cashman, 4. Gentle-King, 5. Clifford, 6. Howley, 7. McNulty, 8. Silvestri, 9. Gallant, 10, Pringle, 11. Old. Subs (not noted): 12. Copson, 14. Hamilton, 15. Perry, 16. White, 17. Jahn.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Karl Johnson, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Richard Brown ©, 5. Ian Cooper, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Lee Gough, 8. Richard Beale, 9. Craig Marshall, 10. Junior Brown, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Paul McMahon (for J.Brown 69 mins), 14. Grant Beckett (for Barnfield 84 mins), 15. Rob Holdcroft (for Beale 88 mins), 16. Chris Brindley, 17. Mark Gayle.

Rushall Olympic returned back up the M1 having claimed an extremely hard earned point in the back yard of an eighth placed Leighton Town outfit who were clearly relieved to have extended their unbeaten record to twelve. Goalless the contest may have ended, but the spectators in attendance certainly had their moneys worth from what was an intriguing encounter.

Pics manager Paul Holleran had one enforced change to contend with as team captain Lee Barrow missed the game through an injury sustained at the weekend and was replaced by the ever dependable Karl Johnson. Meanwhile, in order to add a more physical presence to the front line, newcomer Craig Marshall was drafted in to make his full debut at the expense of Paul McMahon, who dropped to the bench after firing blanks in the previous three games.

During a very entertaining first period, where both sides played some extremely attractive football, it was Rushall who created the better of the goal scoring chances. The first opportunity fell to the visitors on 17 minutes when midfielder Richard Beale flashed a stinging drive over the bar.

On the half hour mark Leighton responded when Gallant played a superb ball across the face of goal, but fortunately for the visitors nobody was on hand to provide a final touch.

Ten minutes later and Olympic's Neil Barnfield found himself clean through on goal, but just as the midfielder was about to pull the trigger and shoot, defender Fagan made a timely interception to pinch the ball off his adversaries toe and the opportunity had gone.

As Olympic continued to press, right on the stroke of half-time a great move down the left eventually saw Barnfield fire in a weak effort that 'keeper Maarman gathered with ease.

With the first period progressing into injury time a free-kick awarded to Town down their left hand side saw Pringle let fly, but his effort was well held by Pics custodian Tony Breeden.

Thirteen minutes into the second half there was a massive penalty appeal within the confines of Leighton's box when Barnfield's darting run was unceremoniously ended by a robust defensive challenge, but the referee and his assistant were unyielding.

The second period continued in very much the same vein as the first with two equally matched sides continuing to provide ample entertainment for the gathered spectators. Rushall again just about shaded the proceedings, holding a slight edge on a side boasting a proud record of having been beaten only once on home turf in twelve matches this season.

Each of the opponents created and spurned several opportunities between them as Junior Brown went the closest for the visitors, immediately prior to being replaced for the final 20 minutes by Paul McMahon. Meanwhile, for the Reds of Leighton substitute Perry and then Fagan both fired wide of the far post when well placed just ten minutes apart as the game progressed to a perhaps increasingly predictable conclusion.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Richard Brown, 5. Lee Barrow ©, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Ian Cooper, 8. Richard Beale, 9. Junior Brown, 10. Paul McMahon, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Rob Holdcroft, 14. Craig Marshall (for J.Brown 81 mins), 15. Grant Beckett, 16. Alan Wilkes (for McMahon 68 mins), 17. Karl Johnson (for Barrow 63 mins).

Goal: J.Brown (45+2)

Stourport Swifts : 1. Chris Jay, 2. Andy Smith ©, 3. Richard Tomkins, 4. Peter Wood, 5. Steve Frost, 6. Adam Robinson, 7. Simon Fitter, 8. Lee Tomkins, 9. Duncan Willetts, 10. Shane Gill, 11. Justin Ballinger. Subs: 12. Chris McComisky (for Frost 45+2 mins), 13. Craig Ladek, 14. Darren Andrews, 15. Craig Williams (for Fitter 72 mins), 16. Richard Burgess (for Willetts 81 mins).

Goal: Frost (13)

The lack of a decisive cutting edge in front of goal proved once more to be Rushall Olympic's Achilles heel as they failed to take all three points against lowly Stourport Swifts at Dales Lane - despite spurning enough opportunities throughout the ninety minutes to have won the game comfortably.

Rushall Olympic manager Paul Holleran was able to name the same 16 who had enjoyed notable success at Stourbridge last weekend, but resisted the temptation to give a start to newcomer Craig Marshall against his former colleagues.

The Pics were first to threaten on six minutes when Richard Beale progressed menacingly to the right by-line, before pulling the ball back unselfishly into the path of Neil Barnfield who could only stab over from 8 yards.

The home side received a nasty surprise in the eleventh minute when in the wake of a Stourport set piece that had broken down the loose ball fell to defender Steve Frost some 25 yards out who took a touch and drilled a pacey low drive into the bottom right corner through a crowded goalmouth past the static Tony Breeden.

Falling behind finally jolted Rushall into action as they forced a cluster of corner kicks during the next few minutes, one of which Dave Haywood curled in left footed from the right hand side and Niki Preston sent the ball marginally wide of the left upright via a defensive deflection from just inside the penalty area for another flag kick.

Olympic were still displaying some vulnerability within their own defensive ranks and just prior to the half hour mark only a solid low block from 'keeper Breeden just off the goal line prevented his side from being cast further adrift via a rasping drive from Shane Gill, who had worked his way goal side far too easily around his marker.

On 32 minutes home skipper Lee Barrow found himself pole axed by Justin Ballinger, but fortunately for the Swifts midfielder none of the officials witnessed the transgression. The home side continued to dictate the pattern of play and on 33 minutes should really have equalised when Lee Gough's sharp snap shot from 15 yards was well parried by Stourport custodian Jay straight into the path of Paul McMahon, but the striker was perhaps somewhat surprised at being handed such an opportunity on a plate and contrived to lift the wide of the rebound target from barely 6 yards out.

It was certainly beginning to look like one of the days six minutes before the interval when another good save by Jay, this time at full stretch to his left, denied Rushall's Beale who unleashed a well targeted hooked drive from just outside the box.

In the second minute of first half injury time the Pics finally got themselves back on level terms when another spell of pressure ended with the ball being fed into Junior Brown some 15 yards out, who turned on a sixpence and rifled home into the bottom left hand corner through the despairing grasp of the Stourport stopper.

In the wake of parity being restored and just prior to the half-time whistle being sounded, the visitors lost goal scorer Frost to injury as Chris McComisky entered the fray.

The second half began where the first had ended with the home side on the offensive. Within nine minutes of the restart an excellent three-man move saw Barnfield released Beale down the left channel who centred into the danger zone where front runner Brown flicked the ball goalwards from 10 yards, but 'keeper Jay was more then equal to the challenge.

The home contingent were infuriated in the 63rd minute when defender Barrow was effectively taken out of the game by Stourport's Ballinger with a crude challenge that incredibly failed to yield a caution for the villain of the peace for the second time in the contest. Olympic's captain was subsequently replaced by Karl Johnson.

Seven minutes later midfielder Ballinger finally received a yellow card when on this occasion Ian Cooper became subject of an over zealous challenge. From the resulting free-kick the ball broke out to Haywood, whose 35 yard low level strike fizzed just wide of the right hand post.

In the second minute of stoppage time Rushall spurned a last gasp opportunity to grab the winner when Barnfield turned his marker inside out on the edge of the box, but upon losing his marker could only lift the ball aimlessly over the from 16 yards.

Stourbridge : 1. Lewis Solly, 2. Sam Rock, 3. Kyle Hadley, 4. Ryan Mahon, 5. Ross Collins, 6. Nathan Bennett, 7. Craig Slater, 8. Leon Broadhurst, 9. Ryan Broadhurst, 10. James Dyson, 11. Damien Whitcombe. Subs: 12. Mark Jones, 14. Paul Danks (for Whitcombe 62 mins), 15. Andy Wright (for R.Broadhurst 80 mins), 16. Rob Taylor (for Mahon 62 mins), 17. Jon Ford.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2, Lee Gough, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Richard Brown ©, 5. Lee Barrow, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Ian Cooper, 8. Richard Beale, 9. Justin Brown, 10, Paul McMahon, 11, Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Grant Beckett (for Beale 88 mins), 14. Karl Johnson, 15. Rob Holdcroft, 16. Craig Marshall (for J.Brown 62 mins), 17. Alan Wilkes (for McMahon 72 mins).

Goal: Beale (26-pen)

Rushall Olympic gained ample revenge for defeat in the reverse fixture back in November as they claimed a single goal victory over bogey side Stourbridge at their War Memorial Athletic Ground in Amblecote. The Pics goal scoring hero was in-form midfielder Richard Beale who rifled home the only strike of a pulsating encounter with a 26th minute penalty to net his seventh goal in the last six matches and consolidate his position at the top of the Dales Lane scoring charts with nine strikes to his credit.

The game began with the home side making all the running and in the ninth minute only a good save by the legs of Rushall 'keeper Tony Breeden prevented Ryan Broadhurst from stroking the ball home after brushing off the challenge of Lee Barrow to make his way goal side.

Three minutes later and as Ryan Broadhurst broke 20 yards forward without hindrance and side footed to his unmarked brother Leon, the midfielder rifled marginally wide of the right post from 25 yards out.

At that stage the visitors were somewhat struggling to contain the surging runs forward of Stourbridge's front runners and their problems were almost compounded further on 22 minutes when Richard Brown was cautioned after tangling with Ryan Broadhurst at least 35 yards out, who ended up tumbling to the ground. With the Rushall skipper arguably the last line of defence between the Glassboys front runner and goal, the visitors were perhaps rather thankful for referee Mr. Castle's apparent lenience.

All of a sudden the complexion of the game changed completely in the 26th minute when against the run of play Junior Brown laid the ball off to Lee Gough down the right channel whose first time probing ball into the danger area picked out the run of Neil Barnfield. However as the midfield darted enthusiastically into the box he found his progress unceremoniously halted by Nathan Bennett with just the Glassboys custodian to beat and went tumbling to the ground. The referee had no alternative but to point to the penalty spot, although displayed more inconsistence by not cautioning the defender for the offence despite being the last man. As Richard Beale placed the ball on the 12-yard mark the midfielder calmly drove the ball high into the net, sending Lewis Solly the wrong way.

The opening goal gave the visitors a much needed boost, but as the encounter entered into a scrappy phase the Pics Lee Barrow found himself in the referee's notebook for the most innocuous of challenges, while seven minutes later Stourbridge's Ryan Mahon joined him for hooking down Richard Beale from behind in the centre circle.

As the half time interval approached Dave Haywood was twice denied in quick succession from the edge of the box as a Richard Beale free-kick was only partially repelled by the Stourbridge back line.

Six minutes into the second period and the home side were back on the offensive as Leon Broadhurst sent a 30 yard screamer narrowly over Tony Breeden's crossbar, although the custodian appeared to have the danger covered.

As play moved to the other end on 58 minutes Dave Haywood lobbed a cheeky 30 yard effort just over the bar after intelligently spotting the Glassboys stopper well off his line.

Three minutes later and a looping 15 yard header from Leon Broadhurst almost got the better of the Pics back pedalling Tony Breeden who was forced to tip the ball over the woodwork in the wake of a long range free-kick punted into the edge of the box from the centre circle.

Just after the hour mark and both sides made their first changes of the match when a double substitution from the home side saw Damien Whitcombe and Ryan Mahon make way for Paul Danks and Rob Taylor, while Rushall introduced debutant striker Craig Marshall for Junior Brown.

As the game moved into its final twenty minutes Paul McMahon took up possession and spun off his marker into space, before looking up and threading the ball across the face of the Stourbridge penalty area to the unmarked Craig Marshall on the right. However, 'keeper Lewis Solly anticipated the imminent danger and crucially darted off his line to narrow the angle as the Pics newcomer was only able to drive the ball straight at his adversary from 16 yards.

On 72 minutes Rushall introduced teenager loan striker Alan Wilkes for his debut as Paul McMahon departed. However, with almost his very first touch the Walsall player took up possession and centred to the left side of the box to find a team mate who in turn picked out Neil Barnfield's surging run into the area. Unfortunately the midfielder couldn't quite believe his luck at finding himself in space just 12 yards out, but with only Lewis Solly to beat the stopper somehow tipped the ball wide of his right post at full stretch.

Former Olympian Andy Wright entered the fray in the place of Ryan Broadhurst on 80 minutes in an attempt to beef up the Stourbridge attack as during the final minutes Olympic were forced to fight more of a rearguard action as the home side threw everything they had at their guests goal during a series of set pieces. However, although it was always Kyle Hadley who looked the most likely to unlock the Pics defence down the right flank, the impressive Dave Haywood was in good form to provide the defensive shackles.

The visitors had to see out almost four minutes of injury time, but they ultimately held on to an excellent three points against a fifth placed Stourbridge who can still have a big influence on the final line-up of the four Division One Midlands promotion play-off places.