Victory over Rusthall ensured Glebe a home advantage in their Southern Counties East Football League play-off eliminator.

After a slow start, the Foxes created chance after chance and it was only an outstanding performance by goalkeeper Serine Sanneh that stopped them from winning at a canter.

Jack Kirby had an early shot wide for the Rustics before Sanneh made his first good save. Rodney Eruotor’s skill and strength enabled him to play it out to Michael Adepoju and his fierce shot was tipped over by Sanneh.

Jamie Philpot was well off target for Glebe having been set up by Nathan Mampono. Rusthall then had a great chance when Steadman Callender intercepted a poor pass back and bore down on goal. He went for a chip shot over the out-rushing Glebe goalkeeper Nathan Edwards, but it floated beyond the far post.

Moments later, the Foxes went ahead. Eruotor was again the creator when passing to Philpot. His shot was just accurate and strong enough to beat Sanneh who came close to making another excellent save when tipping it away but it hit the inside of the post before crossing the line.

Eruotor was foiled by a brilliant Sanneh save before, Harvey Brand and Philpot had attempts deflected wide, and Philpot had another effort well saved. Glebe continued to press and Malachi Morris found Eruotor before getting it back from a deft flick only to hit it beyond the far post.

Ben Branch had an opportunity for the visitors when a corner fell into his path and his shot whistled inches wide. Then, in first half injury time Adepoju fired high and wide.

After the break, Glebe continued to threaten and Mampono’s shot brought another good save out of Sanneh before substitute Ali Fofanah missed from the edge of the penalty area. Jamie Coyle played it in to Eruotor who turned well before passing to Morris who again found Sanneh in inspired form when saving.

Just short of the hour mark, Glebe scored the goal that gave them breathing space. Mampono was brought down in the penalty area and with Philpot having been substituted at half time there was confusion about who should take the spot kick. A shout from the bench nominated Fofanah and he repaid their faith by firing home.

Mampono shot wide after more skills by Eruotor created the opening then the creator had a chance of his own that was saved. Brand was off target before Morris had a shot kept out by Sanneh.

Callender had a shot tipped over by Edwards before Glebe’s Tom Hever danced his way through only to see his low shot brilliantly saved by Sanneh.

However, his best save was reserved for the final minutes when a corner was flicked goalwards and he made a stunning reaction save to beat it out.

Despite the best efforts of Sanneh, Glebe’s win ensured that they will host Erith Town on Tuesday evening with the winners playing the victors of the Faversham Town versus Corinthian match to determine which team is promoted.

Glebe: Edwards, Hever, Dowrich, Adepoju, Coyle (Mundele 68), Goode, Mampono, Brand, Morris, Philpot (Fofanah 46), Eruotor (Adesite 80).

Substitutes: Enkh, Jarvis.

Goal scorers: Philpot (15), Fofanah pen (58)

Yellow cards: None

Rusthall: Sanneh, Njuguna (Dixon 45), Khalil (Watson 46), Riches, Styles, Blunn (Little 60), Lyons (Petrou 46), Brand, Callender, Barton, Kirby (Powell 67). 

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Styles

Referee: Darren Kempson

Assistants: James Beadle and Damian Mirzadeh

Attendance: 202

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.