Ossett Town: 1. Piotr Skiba, 2. Robert Tonks, 3. Lee Stratford, 4. Lee Pugh, 5. David Briggs ©, 6. Danny Meadowcroft, 7. Rob O'Brien, 8. Damien Dunne, 9. Carl Fothergill, 10. James Walshaw, 11. Mark Thompson. Subs: 12. Scott Jackson, 14. Joe Wilson, 15. Sam Jackson, 16. Oliver Rawson, 17. Jonathon Hedge.

Goals: Fothergill (35, 55), O'Brien (69)

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Karl Johnson (Gough 60 mins), 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Rob Holdcroft (Brindley 80 mins), 5. Lee Barrow ©, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Grant Beckett, 8. Phil Rowe (Hawker 76 mins), 9. Damien Charie, 10. Harry Harris, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Matt Hawker, 14. Duncan Willetts, 15. Sam Brookes, 16. Chris Brindley, 17. Lee Gough.

Goals: Holdcroft (1), Harris (41)

Despite twice taking the lead in what was an entertaining F.A. Challenge Trophy Third Round Qualifying Replay at UniBond League Premier Division promotion chasers Ossett Town, Rushall Olympic found themselves travelling back down the M1 empty handed after eventually succumbing to a 3-2 defeat in West Yorkshire.

Olympic manager Paul Holleran was once again forced to reshuffle his severely depleted pack as Rob Holdcroft came in for Richard Beale and striker Duncan Willetts returned to the fold by taking up a place on the bench.

Rushall got off to a dream start when in the first minute Rob Holdcroft spotted 'keeper Piotr Skiba positioned towards the edge of his box an unleashed a spectacular 40 yarder that clipped the inside of the post and went in. For the next twenty minutes both sides played some very entertaining football, however goal scoring opportunities for both opponents were rather at a premium.

On 35 minutes the game burst back to life when the home side were back on level terms as Pics 'keeper Tony Breeden raced off his line to make a clearance, but only succeeded in sending a poor kick straight to the feet of Carl Fothergill who duly fired the ball straight back past the hapless custodian from 25 yards into an unguarded net.

As the tide turned once again in the 41st minute Olympic surged back in front once more when the visitor's stopper redeemed himself with an accurate punt up field that picked out the run of Rob Holdcroft. As the midfielder pulled the ball back to Dave Haywood the wing back centred to the far post where Phil Rowe headed invitingly across the face of the box into the path of teenager Harry Harris who let fly with a 25 yard screamer that rocketed into the bottom left hand corner.

Ten minutes into the second period fortunes swung again when higher league Ossett Town restored parity for the second time of asking as Carl Fothergill was allowed to run out of his own half without a sign of a challenge, before homing in on target and eventually unleashing a powerful drive past Tony Breeden with Rushall's hesitant defence failing to impede the striker's progress.

On 69 minutes it was essentially all over for the visitors makeshift line-up when, not for the first time during this campaign, the Pics defence proved incapable of effectively clearing their lines and were punished when Rob O'Brien lashed the ball home across Tony Breeden into the bottom corner with a clinical finish.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Karl Johnson, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Richard Beale (Brindley 86 mins), 5. Lee Barrow ©, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Grant Beckett, 8. Phil Rowe (Holdcroft 64 mins), 9. Damien Charie, 10. Harry Harris, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Rob Holdcroft, 14. Matt Hawker, 15. Sam Brookes, 16. Chris Brindley, 17. Mark Gayle.

Ossett Town: 1. Piotr Skiba, 2. Robert Tonks, 3. Lee Stratford, 4. Lee Pugh, 5. David Briggs ©, 6. Danny Meadowcroft, 7. Rob O'Brien, 8. Damien Dunne, 9. Carl Fothergill, 10. Scott Jackson, 11. James Walshaw. Subs: 12. Sam Jackson, 14. Joe Wilson, 15. Mark Thompson.

Injury ravaged Rushall Olympic were forced to settle for an unwanted midweek replay in West Yorkshire after their brave attempt to reach the First Round Proper of the F.A. Trophy for the very first time was ultimately thwarted by a lack of goal scoring potency against UniBond League Premier Division promotion chasers Ossett Town.

Manager Paul Holleran was again forced to dig deep into his threadbare squad, making three changes to his side from last weekend as injured skipper Richard Brown was forced to sit the game out, midfielder Rob Holdcroft returned to the bench, while new signing Francino Francis was cup tied and in a reorganised defence Karl Johnson was also drafted in.

Goal scoring opportunities were certainly few and far between during the first period as both opponents sized each other up, unwilling to conceded territorial advantage. Although the higher league visitors had the ball in the back of the net within the first five minutes, an unfair challenge on Pics 'keeper Tony Breeden halted play with a free-kick awarded to the home side.

At the other end Ossett had stopper Piotr Skiba to thank for maintaining parity on 12 minutes when an initial drive from Grant Beckett on the edge of the box was repelled only as far as Damien Charie whose first time strike from 12 yards was excellently blocked out by the Polish custodian.

The game began to show its uglier side in the 19th minute when Rushall's Niki Preston was left in a crumpled heap by a crude challenge from front runner Carl Fothergill but surprisingly, despite the apparent intent of the challenge, Sheffield referee Mr. Grundy opted to just lecture the perpetrator.

The match officials failure to take full and proper control of proceedings back fired spectacularly on 35 minutes when a big scuffle broke out involving most of the outfield players after Ossett midfielder Damien Dunne had followed straight through on Tony Breeden with an extremely late challenge that left Olympic's custodian requiring lengthy treatment. When order was finally restored, much to the anger and bewilderment of the home contingent, the referee oddly opted to just caution the executor of the foul play.

Despite the first period ending goalless it was undoubtedly the lower ranking home side that enjoyed the greater majority of possession against opponents who appeared rather too content to settle for a replay. Although the West Yorkshire outfit began the second period in a more determined fashion, it was Rushall who were quickly back on to the offensive as newcomer Harry Harris chanced his arm with a powerful 30 yard drive on 53 minutes that curled marginally wide of the right post, although 'keeper Piotr Skiba appeared to have the danger covered.

Two minutes later and the Walsall loan striker turned provider as his corner whipped in from the left saw Niki Preston and Phil Rowe both just fail to make a decisive contact as the ball flashed across the face of goal.

The 63rd minute saw Town finally threaten, but Rob O'Brien's wayward effort from 25 yards out curled high and wide of the top left corner .

As the tie edged to the increasingly predictable outcome of a replay in West Yorkshire on Tuesday night, Olympic almost grabbed a late winner as a good move on 85 minutes orchestrated by Harry Harris saw the teenager thread a fine cross field pass into the feet of Neil Barnfield who ran on, but could only side foot wide of the right post from just outside the Ossett box.

All in all it was an excellent team performance from the Pics that also ended a run of three consecutive league defeats and with the injured members of the squad slowly returning to full fitness the light can now be clearly seen at the end of the tunnel.

Bedworth United : 1. Andrew Kemp, 2. Gary Moran, 3. Lee Darlison, 4. Lee Greenway, 5. Guy Barnett, 6. Danny Pitham, 7. Ben Twigger, 8. Nick Mowl, 9. Adam Kinder, 10. Aman Verna, 11. Luke Baker. Subs: 12. Ben Porter, 14. Simeon Williams, 15. Craig Davies, 16. Tom Starkey, 17. Ben Thackeray.

Goals: Greenway (35 mins), Verma (53 mins).

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Dave Haywood, 3. Richard Beale, 4. Richard Brown (60 mins), 5. Lee Barrow, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Grant Beckett (66 mins), 8. Rob Holdcroft (72 mins), 9. Harry Harris, 10. Francino Francis, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Phil Rowe (72 mins), 14. Damien Charie (66 mins), 15. Karl Johnson (60 mins), 16. Matt Hawker, 17. Chris Brindley.

Goal: Harris (82 mins)

Rushall Olympic suffered their third defeat on the trot in a game they may well have won easily three weeks ago, but with their confidence currently at a very low ebb if they are to climb the table it is teams just like Bedworth United that they need to be beating. The game itself was an easy one for the match officials, but between them they contrived to make a catalogue of errors that indirectly cost Rushall a potential share of the points.

Rushall started off brightly, creating a couple of half chances in the first quarter hour with on loan Walsall striker Harry Harris looking sharp, along with the Pics other debut striker Francino Francis, newly transferred from Quorn.

On twenty-eight minutes the first of many mistakes by the match officials took place when Nick Mowl was allowed to stay on the pitch after blatantly elbowing Neil Barnfield in the face and receiving only a yellow card.

Five minutes later Ben Twigger clearly slipped and the referee awarded a free kick to Bedworth that Twigger took himself and when the ball was floated into the box the Rushall defence failed to deal with it and Lee Greenway was allowed a free header to give the home side the lead.

Just seven minutes into the second period and Bedworth left Rushall with a mountain to climb when they broke down the right hand side. When the ball was played into the box the Rushall defence had two good chances to clear their lines but again failed to do so and were punished for their hesitancy as Aman Verna drove the loose ball into the bottom corner of the net to make it 2-0.

Some sloppy passing and poor marking led to the home side being given several chances to increase their lead, but in fact it was Rushall who had the better chances, only to waste them. After a scramble in the Bedworth goalmouth the ball came out to David Haywood who's first time strike from twenty-five yards went inches wide of the post.

On eighty-two minutes Rushall finally got back into the game when a Damien Charie cross from the right was headed home by debutant Harry Harris.

Rushall could and should have pulled level in the dying minutes when Damien Charie headed inches over the crossbar when well placed.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough (Haywood 34 mins), 3. Richard Beale, 4, Richard Brown © (Johnson 57 mins), 5. Lee Barrow, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Grant Beckett, 8. Phil Rowe, 9. Aaron Farrell (Hawker 34 mins), 10. Paul McMahon, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Dave Haywood, 14. Rob Holdcroft, 15. Karl Johnson, 16. Matt Hawker, 17. Chris Brindley.

Sutton Coldfield Town: 1. Chris Gemmell, 2. Matt Dodd, 3. Sam Wilson (Fuller 83 mins), 4. Phil Male ©, 5. Ed Booth, 6. Neil Watkins, 7. Jim Quiggin (Owen 80 mins), 8. Craig Thomas, 9. Justin Rowe (Matt 80 mins), 10. Mykel Beckley, 11. Nathan Moran. Subs: 12. Craig Owen, 14. Adam Hughes, 15. Luke Fuller, 16. Jamille Matt, 17. Jake Morrell.

Goals: Thomas 59 mins, Rowe 67 mins, Beckley 76 mins.

A second abject home defeat in the space of just three days blew wide open what was formerly fortress Dales Lane. The latest beneficiaries of the Pics sudden reversal of fortune on home turf on this occasion were neighbours Sutton Coldfield Town who strolled to a extremely comfortable 3-0 success by grabbing three goals in 18 error prone second half minutes without even having to get out of first gear.

Manager Paul Holleran gave a debut to Paul McMahon, who transferred the night before from Chasetown in a bid to add numbers to his increasingly depleted strike force in the only change to the starting line-up that had crumpled against Stourbridge at the weekend.

The writing was on the wall for the home side as early as the 6th minute when Ed Booth's header from 10 yards out was scrambled off the goal line by a last gasp defensive clearance in the wake of a flag kick from the right. Moments later and Rushall breathed a huge sigh of relief as a dangerous low centre blazed across the face of goal from the left, but the eager Royals front line were unable to make a telling contact.

On 14 minutes the home survived yet another let off as 'keeper Tony Breeden pulled off an excellent save to block out a rasping low drive, before striker Justin Rowe somehow failed to hit the target with a follow up effort from close range.

The Pics faltering game plan was turned on its head eleven minutes before the break when Aaron Farrell and Lee Gough both sustained injuries in separate incidents as a result of some overzealous challenges at opposite ends of the field. Neither player was able to continue and as Paul Holleran vented his frustrations at a less than sympathetic referee he was eventually dismissed from the technical area for his troubles.

The second period hardly began any better for Olympic when on 57 minutes skipper Richard Brown was forced to leave the fray as a result of injury and within two minutes of some hasty re-organisation within Rushall's defensive ranks they found themselves behind as Sutton took the game firmly by the scruff of the neck. As the home side failed dismally to clear their lines, a miscued centre from the left fell invitingly into the path of midfielder Craig Thomas who rifled home first time past Tony Breeden.

Nine minutes later it went from bad to worse for the Dales Lane outfit as Town's Justin Rowe found himself totally unmarked and the front runner converted a left wing centre from close range at the far post.

With fourteen minutes remaining the visitors sewed up a comprehensive victory when Olympic's hapless custodian was caught cold by Mykel Beckley's 30 yard rasping low drive from the left flank that rocketed across him into the bottom right corner.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Richard Beale, 4. Richard Brown ©, 5. Lee Barrow, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Grant Beckett (Holdcroft 84 mins), 8. Phil Rowe (Haywood 84 mins), 9. Aaron Farrell, 10. Paul Szewczyk (Brindley 52 mins), 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Dave Haywood, 14. Rob Holdcroft, 15. Karl Johnson, 16. Matt Hawker, 17. Chris Brindley.

Goal: Gough (62 mins)

Stourbridge : 1. Lewis Solly, 2. Ross Collins, 3. Mark Jones (Hadley 71 mins), 4. Sam Rock, 5. Mark Bellingham, 6. Nathan Bennett, 7. Craig Slater ©, 8. Leon Broadhurst, 9. James Dyson, 10. Ryan Mahon (Wells 46 mins), 11. Damian Whitcombe. Subs: 12. Andy Wells, 14. Kyle Hadley, 15. Oliver O'Connell, 16. Jamie Rogers, 17. Jon Ford.

Goals: Whitcombe (58 mins), Bellingham (76 mins)

Rushall Olympic surrendered their 10-match unbeaten home record thanks to a lacklustre second half showing that has fast become an increasingly familiar feature of the Dales Lane side.

The beneficiaries of the Pics latest lapse were undoubted bogey side Stourbridge, who Rushall have now failed to triumph against on home turf in nine attempts, losing eight of them in the process. However, the one mitigating factor on this occasion was the debilitating loss of influential target man Paul Szewczyk seven minutes after the interval through injury and without whom the home side simply didn't possess a plan 'B'.

Despite the final outcome Olympic enjoyed the better of the first half exchanges against an uncompromising yet uninspiring Black Country outfit. On 14 minutes Lee Gough's excellent 20 yard run ended with the wing back being hauled down and from Lee Barrow's resulting free-kick the danger was turned away for a corner. From the resulting flag kick Niki Preston could only direct a firm header wide of the right post from 12 yards.

Three minutes later and another good spell of pressure from the home side prevented the Glassboys from even venturing out of their own half as Richard Beale's 25 yard low drive eventually whistled marginally wide of the left upright with 'keeper Lewis Solly at full stretch.

Just before the half hour mark and a misdirected header by Neil Barnfield put his defensive team mates firmly on the back foot as Sam Rock burst clear, however the front runner's first time strike from the edge of the box was well held by Tony Breeden.

As the interval approached Stourbridge finally began to impose some authority on proceedings, but the contest remained sterile at the whistle. The visitors began the second period by making a substitution as Andy Wells replaced Ryan Mahon, who had been caution ten minutes before the break, but it was the Pics who were first to show when in the 51st minute Richard Beale's corner from the left was met by a powerful downward header from Lee Barrow that dropped the wrong side of the right post from 12 yards.

Prior to the flag kick Paul Szewczyk appeared to fall victim to another knee problem and hobbled off, to be replaced by Rushall's veteran assistant manager Chris Brindley who rose from a bench that was devoid of a replacement striker, such were the home sides' injury problems.

On 58 minutes Stourbridge were quick to take advantage and suddenly stepped up a gear as play was brought to a halt by referee Mr. Perry for an infringement, following a break down the left, that appeared to mystify most people. However from the result free-kick, at least some 30 yards out on the flank, Stourbridge loan signing Damien Whitcombe unleashed a venomous low drive that flashed through a crowded goalmouth and into the bottom left corner past the unsighted Tony Breeden.

To their credit Rushall did mount a spirited fight back and deservedly restored parity within four minutes of falling behind as a probing run by Richard Beale down the left flank saw the wing back dart past his marker behind Stourbridge's defence and deliver a low inviting centre into the danger zone that was latched on to by the in-rushing Lee Gough who rifled home his first goal for the club from close range.

Minutes later and the home side were again on the offensive as Aaron Farrell went clear of the visitor's back line, but rushed his shot and could only push the ball wide of the far post as the front runner approached the left corner of the box.

From that point forward Olympic's game play simply fell to pieces with their front men unable to maintain possession for any appreciable period, while the engine room appeared give up the ghost, allowing the home defence to become subjected to increasing pressure. It was therefore little surprise when Stourbridge finally took full advantage of Rushall's doldrums with 17 minutes remaining when a relatively harmless looking centre was inexplicably failed to be claimed by the usually reliable Tony Breeden and as the loose ball awaited a clearance from an increasingly hesitant defence, striker Mark Bellingham reacted quickest to rifle home from close range.

Newcomer Aaron Farrell spurned an excellent opportunity to draw Rushall level again on 82 minutes, but the former Halesowen Town hit man scooped way over the target from the edge of the box after a defence splitting through ball had sent the forward clear of the Glassboys defence.

Manager Paul Holleran had his last throw of the dice six minutes before full time when he hauled off the increasingly ineffective midfield duo of Grant Beckett and Phil Rowe, with Rob Holdcroft and Dave Haywood both entering the fray as the Pics went into a more adventurous 3-4-3 formation.

As the home side pushed forward on 89 minutes in search of a last gasp equaliser Aaron Farrell again found himself in a great position as another ball over the top of the visitors defence caught them flat footed, however as the assistant referee raised his flag for a marginal off-side decision the strikers pacy volley was also brilliantly saved by Lewis Solly anyway.

Although in the second minute of stoppage time Richard Beale's deflected 30 yarder dropped just over the bar for a corner, in all honesty the Pics had finished the contest a distant second best to more industrious but nonetheless mediocre opposition.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Richard Beale, 4. Richard Brown ©, 5. Lee Barrow, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Grant Beckett (Rowe 85 mins), 8. Rob Holdcroft, 9. Paul Szewczyk (Brindley 80 mins), 10. Sean Dowdall (Charie 38 mins), 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Damien Charie, 14. Phil Rowe, 15. Karl Johnson, 16. Matt Hawker, 17. Chris Brindley.

Goal: Barnfield (11 mins)

Clitheroe : 1. James Mann, 2. Adam Kozlowski, 3. John Osborne, 4. Kieran Fletcher, 5. Russ Clarke, 6. Ryan Fisher (Reynolds 77 mins), 7. Gary Stopforth, 8. Paul Osborne, 9. Crag Sargeson (Heap 46 mins), 10. Joel Byrom, 11. Paul Fildes. Subs: 12. Gary Jackson, 14. Sam Heap, 15. Neil Reynolds, 16. Peter Smith, 17. Paul Horridge.

Goal: Stopforth (62 mins)

Rushall Olympic's hopes of progression in the F.A Trophy were left hanging in the balance with the Pics eighth successive game in cup action appearing to be one too many as they clung on for their lives at Dales Lane to take Clitheroe to what at one point appeared to be an increasingly unlikely replay. A wholly lacklustre performance bereft of drive, energy and stamina saw Rushall outplayed for long periods by their UniBond League Division One North opponents; leaving them with the prospect of a dispiriting midweek trip up the M6 to Lancashire they could well do without.

Despite worryingly running out of steam for the second Saturday in succession, Olympic began buoyed by their midweek win over West Bromwich Albion and took the lead after only eleven minutes with the softest of goals. A centre from the left caused confusion in the Clitheroe area and as Neil Barnfield appeared to stumble to the ground he managed to get the faintest of touches on the way down and 'keeper James Mann inexplicably missed the ball completely, allowing it to loop over him into the net from close range.

As the home side continued to press skipper Richard Brown should have done better after meeting a corner from the left, but could only direct a powerful header wide of the top right corner from 10 yards. Seven minutes later and Sean Dowdall used his pace to surge into the box towards the left by-line, but his deft flick at goal from the acutest of angles ended up the wrong side of the near post.

On 25 minutes an excellent probing 20 yard ball from Rob Holdcroft picked out the run of Sean Dowdall into the right side of the area, but as the goal opened up in front of the striker his effort from a narrow angle was somewhat fortuitously blocked by a defender sprawled across the goal line who just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

Although Clitheroe were undoubtedly playing some very nice one touch football when in possession, it took them until the 31st minute to register their first noteworthy effort upon target. An excellent move involving several players ended with a decisive ball into the box that picked out Paul Fildes, but somehow the front runner pulled his shot aimlessly wide of the right post from 12 yards.

Rushall suffered a huge blow seven minutes before the interval when they lost the services of Sean Dowdall with what looked like a shoulder injury, however they appeared undaunted when on 40 minutes Rob Holdcroft chanced his arm from 25 yards with a somewhat ambitious drive that ended up well wide of the left upright.

Two minutes before the break and only an excellent parry from Olympic's Tony Breeden prevented Ryan Fisher's vicious 25 yarder from nestling in the back of the net as the highly rated custodian sent the ball past his left post for a corner.

The second half saw an extremely sluggish Rushall emerge from the dressing rooms and they almost paid dearly for their apparent apathy when only another top class save from Tony Breeden on 53 minutes kept out a low drive from 12 yards after the home defence went missing at a crucial moment.

As Clitheroe continued to turn the screw and effectively outplay their hosts with alarming ease, Olympic's stopper was again called into action on the hour mark when he tipped away a low long range strike for a corner at full stretch after otherwise being afforded little protection by his back line. It was therefore little surprise when the Blues finally restored parity on 62 minutes after forcing a second corner in succession from the right. After an initial effort on goal was only partially repelled, a follow up strike from midfielder Gary Stopforth on the edge of the box scythed its way into the left side of goal past the unsighted Tony Breeden to give the visitors a richly deserved equaliser.

From that point onwards Rushall simply failed to compete and only a great challenge from Richard Brown on 70 minutes prevent Clitheroe from surging into the lead as he launched himself into a sliding block with the confines of his box to prevent substitute Sam Heap from homing in on goal. Three minutes later, as the home defence were again overran, only an off-side flag save the Pics after the ball had been directed on to the right hand post and the Blues front line lay in wait ready to pounce on the rebound.

Undoubted Man of the Match Tony Breeden was again on top form with four minutes remaining when an excellent block with his feet denied Sam Heap from close range who had passed straight through Rushall's rearguard like a dose of salts.

Despite Clitheroe's dominance, with the 90 minutes up Olympic were presented with an unlikely opportunity to claim a last gasp winner. Lee Gough's first real run down the right flank saw the wing beat his marker and cut inside before seeing his low drive blocked out only as far as Richard Beale. However, as the wing back took up possession he could only direct a looping 25 yard strike over the bar.