Rushall Olympic open up promotion race

At the same time, with Ashton United surprisingly losing at home to Ilkeston, seventh-placed Rushall are only five points off extending their season with five games to go and a game in hand on the two teams just above them.

They had Stan Mugisha mainly to thank for this excellent win as he produced two stunning goals, but it was a hard working team effort overall.

It was Worksop who threatened first on eight minutes when Jack Muldoon found himself in space but his low drive was well saved by Chris Gemmell.

But Mugisha gave Rushall the lead on 11 minutes when he won the ball in midfield, beat Muldoon and fired a right-foot shot into the net.

Inevitably, the home side came back fighting, and Gemmell was called on to pull off some excellent saves as the half wore on, in particular from Connor Higginson.

Adam Quinn headed wide for Worksop but Rushall could have increased their lead on 27 minutes when a through ball from James Dance sent Ahmed Obeng clear and with only goalkeeper Jon Stewart to beat, his shot hit his legs.

Two minutes after the break, Rushall found themselves with a two-goal cushion when a misdirected header by defender Phil Roe from a Mugisha cross landed in the path of Dance, who volleyed it home.

Worksop made a substitution on 54 minutes and it proved inspired as Jamie Jackson came on and set up Leon Mettam two minutes later for him to rifle the ball home.

On the hour mark, Rushall were reduced to 10 men when Carl Palmer was sent off for apparently elbowing Shane Clarke, although the decision looked harsh

But the visitors rode that storm and it was Mugisha again on 71 minutes when Jamie Spencer slipped the ball inside the defence and Mugisha curled a lovely shot past Stewart.

Worksop could have got a goal back when Jackson found Tom Denton whose header beat Gemmell, but Gavin Caines was there to head off the line.

Meanwhile, Rushall are at home to Norton Uniited in the semi-final of the Staffordshire Senior Cup tomorrow night at Dales Lane, with reduced admission prices of £6 adults and £3 concessions.

They then face Walsall Wood in the Walsall Senior Cup semi-final on Thursday.

Worksop: Stewart, Pursehouse, Roe (Thomas 85), Clay, Quinn. Burgin. Muldoon, Clarke, Denton (Garnett 70), Mettam, Higginson (Jackson 54). Subs not used: Salt, Burrell.

Rushall: Gemmell, Turner, Wood (Martin 90), Caines, Smith, Dacres, Palmer, Dance, Obeng (Craddock 63), Spencer (Adebola 83), Mugisha. Subs not used: Spink, Daniel.

Attendance: 387.