Goals either side of half time helped Southern Counties East Football League Division One promotion hopefuls Rusthall record a surprise victory at Premier Division leaders Beckenham Town.

Tommy Lawrence scored six minutes before the break and James Miles seven minutes after it as the visitors claimed a well deserved win to progress in the Challenge Cup..

Whilst the hosts had plenty of experience throughout the team, too many went for glory too often against a Rusthall team who were all twenty-three years of age or younger.

In the opening minutes, Beckenham had the ball in the net but it was disallowed for an intentional handball that earned David Ramsamy a yellow card.

Luke Adams shot over for the visitors then Lorenzo Cuozzo fired wide from distance.

Stefan Fox shot across the face of goal for the Becks before Steven Camacho went on a good run for Rusthall but sliced his shot wide.

Malik Nosike shot into the side netting from a tight angle for the hosts then Ramsamy was equally wasteful when shooting wide of the near post.

The deadlock was almost broken when Rusthall next attacked, A goal-bound shot hit Charlie Clover who couldn’t get out of the way. Beckenham goalkeeper Marvin Grant flew out and went through Adams then as Rusthall appealed for a penalty it came out to Camacho who made space for himself well before his shot crashed back off the post.

Finally, Beckenham’s defence was breached when Rusthall were awarded a free kick outside the area and Lawrence showed great technique to give Grant no chance.

Just before the interval, Luke Rooney’s low drive drew a good save out of Billy Johnson but soon after the break Rusthall doubled their lead with a goal that was equally good. A cross was headed out as far as Miles and his shot from twenty yards flew just inside the post.

Rooney almost reduced the arrears immediately but Johnson made an excellent save from his low drive.

Beckenham made a triple change as they chased the game but Rusthall continued to create problems. Lawrence was well wide with a free kick from a good thirty-five yards then Adams hit a shot that lacked conviction and Grant saved comfortably.

Substitute Ashley Carew spun and shot well over for Beckenham before fellow replacement Steve Townsend shot wide of the near post.

At the other end Revel Powell-Downey had a low shot that flew just wide before Rusthall came even closer. Adams sent Clover away but as he rounded Grant he lost his balance and could only shoot into the side netting.

Johnson was out quickly to make a great block from Townsend then Carew fired into the side netting. Archie Johnson got forward to pull back for Rooney but his shot was blocked and Rooney had the final effort when his chip shot was saved easily.

Beckehham Town: Grant, Brand (Kaffo 58), Johnson, Oshilaja, Carter, Wesi (Townsend 58), Cox, Rooney, Nosike (Carew 58), Hall, Ramsamy.

Subs not used: Sweeney, Wanogho.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Ramsamy

Red cards: None

Rusthall: Johnson, Anderson, Large, Miles (Butler 68), Styles, Bissett, Camacho, Lawrence, Adams, Clover (Gallie 95), Cuozzo (Powell-Downey 58).

Subs not used: Hampson, Ballard.

Goalscorers: Lawrence (39), Miles (52)

Yellow cards: Anderson

Red cards: None

Referee: W. Horsfall

Assistants: M. Indyk and J Beadle

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.

Attendance: 78