Hednesford Town’s Dales Lane hoodoo continued as they were left to rue a late goal which stopped them from sharing the spoils on a ground that they have failed to win on for 22 years.
Manager Liam McDonald was forced into one change for the game with Kyle Rowley coming into the starting line-up for the suspended Calum Flanagan.
It was the home side who started very much on the front foot, but although they had plenty of possession in front of the Pitmen box they only had a couple of corners to show for their pressure.
As the half progressed though, Hednesford came back into it and went close to taking the lead when Joel Logan got past his man before firing in a low cross that George Carline was only able to force over the crossbar.
The big midfielder didn’t have to wait long before he did open the scoring though as sixty seconds later in the 18th minute the Pitmen were in front. Danny Glover controlled the ball on the byline and his cross picked out Carline who headed home low into the corner of the net.
In truth there was little else to talk about during the first period with Dan Crane having to come and punch a free-kick clear while under pressure from Mo Diop before Rushall’s Dean Keates lashed an effort well wide when free in the box two minutes before the break.
HT: 0-1
That seemingly wouldn’t matter though as the home side levelled the scores just three minutes into the second period. As Lewis Wright lay prone on the floor a cross came in from the right-hand side that Diop headed back to Alex Reid who nodded home from the edge of the six yards box.
After surviving a couple of Rushall corners into a packed penalty area Hednesford suddenly came to life again just after the hour mark.
First, in the 62nd minute, the ball found its way through to Ashley Sammons and his goal bound effort was blocked behind for the a corner. From the resultant flag kick the ball found its way to Glover at the back post but his effort was also blocked.
Five minutes later Carline fed Sammons and after taking a touch to steady himself he saw his low effort turned away by Jose Veiga.
An even better chance arrived in the 73rd minute when Cohen Bramall got to the byline and his cross picked out Carline who rose highest but headed over the bar from just six yards out.
Just when it looked as if both sides would settle for a point, a long punt downfield found its way to Rushall striker Stan Mugisha. The striker rounded Town goalkeeper Crane who had already committed himself, before firing home superbly from 25 yards, despite the best efforts of James Mutton on the line.
The Pitmen will be looking to put this late heartbreak behind them when they host Corby Town at Keys Park on Monday evening.
Rushall Olympic: Veiga, Christophorou, Martin, Forde, Whittall, Kettle, Keates, Partodikromo (Eze 72), Diop (Mugisha 77), Fitzpatrick (Walters 77), Reid
Subs not used: Jeys, Antonio
Hednesford Town: Crane, Wright, Bramall, Maye (Matthews 88), Mutton, Rowley, Logan (Sammons 59), Thorley, Glover (Dunkley 72), Singh, Carline
Subs not used: Ransome, Bridgwater
Attendance: 804
Star Man: Danny Glover
Entertainment Rating: Three Stars
