Bearsted strolled to a three nil victory over struggling Rusthall and maintained their play- off position and charge.

On Tuesday they entertain League Leaders Glebe which will show if they have the credentials to stay in contention for the play-offs or dream about winning the league.

Bearsted started the quicker of the two teams and in the fourth minute a Alan Turton free kick to the back post saw Dan Melvin leap, his header from ten yards went just over the bar.

Two minutes later Danny Powell saw his shot hit the cross bar from 20 yards which would be their only half chance of the half.

In the 7th minute Bearsted took the lead when Nathan Palmer on the left wing travelled forward before laying the ball into the path of Jack Palmby who from 20 yards shot home.

A minute later it was nearly two when Robbie Roberts on the right went into the area before passing to Turton, his shot from ten yards was saved by Tommy Taylor.

In the 17th minute Bearsted doubled their lead when Roberts in the area saw his shot hit the cross bar and came straight back to him, as he was about to shoot again he was fouled and a penalty was given.

Palmer stepped up to take it but it was a poor effort and Taylor was able to easily save it. This did not deter Bearsted as in 24th minute they did score when Roberts on the right wing crossed to the back post where a header goal wards was punched out by Taylor but only to Joel Wakefield who headed in from three yards.

Two minutes later Louis Lovell saw his header go just past the post. In the 30th minute Bearsted should have made it three when a Rusthall corner was cleared and Roberts collected the ball ran forward before releasing Palmer on the left wing, on his own went towards the goal but his 20 yard shot went well wide.

Six minutes later Palmer had another chance when a ball into the area fell to him but from 18 yards his shot went high and wide, but Bearsted did not have to wait long for their third when a minute later a corner under the cross bar was put in by Lovell.

Half time arrived and Kevin Stevens would have wanted the half to carry on while Jimmy Anderson would have been glad of the whistle and would have impress on his team to try to win the second half.

The second half was a bit flat as Bearsted just kept their concentration going while Rusthall tried in vain to score or at least stop the scoring.

Bearsted had a couple of half chances when firstly Lovell in the 50th minute saw his curling effort from 20 yards go just past the post and five minutes later Palmer on the left cut inside, his shot went just past the post.

Rusthall themselves had two chances when substitute Jack Lyons in the 77th minute running from halfway saw his 25 yard shot go just past the post.

Then three minutes later Emmanual Kufoalor saw his 20 yard shot go over the bar then just to make matters worse for Rusthall, Callum Taylor who had only been on for four minutes was sent off for a bad foul.

BEARSTED:

1. F.LEONARD 2. D.AGBUDUME 3. J.NURDEN 4. A.TURTON (61) 5. R.BLAKE (81) 6. D.MELVIN

7. N.PALMER (61) 8. J.WAKEFIELD 9. L.LOVELL 10. J.PALMBY 11. R.ROBERTS (72)

SUBS USED: 14. O.FREEMAN (61) 16. E.HASSAN (61) 15. A.ELDRIDGE (72) 12. C.McCARTHY (81)

SUBS NOT USED: 17. A.CRAIG

BOOKINGS: 2. D.AGBUDUME (59) 10. J.PALMBY (75)

RUSTHALL:

1. T.TAYLOR 2. A.KHALIL 3. D.WATSON (66) 4. D. BLUNN 5. F.LITTLE 6. J.NJUGUNA

7. A. L.M.P.COSTA (66) 8. C.GIBBS (86) 9. D.POWELL (66) 10. M.YOUNGAH (38) 11. J.HAMMOMD

SUBS USED: 15. E.KUFOALOR (38) 14. H.VELVICK (66) 16. J.LYONS (66) 17. K.BARTON (66) 12. C.TAYLOR (86)

SUBS NOT USED: ALL USED

BOOKINGS: 9.D.POWELL (44)

SENT OFF: 12. C.TAYLOR (90)

REFEREE: Mr CANNON

ASSISTANTS: Mr ROBERTS & Mr AYLWARD

Att: 135