Added Jan 28th 2008 -

Rushall Olympic 3 - 0 Rothwell Town

On the positive side this defeat to Rushall Olympic leaves Rothwell Town 11 points clear of the one relegation place in Division One Midlands with other results going their way.

But the Bones were left frustrated as a controversial penalty decision proved a key turning point in the game - just as they were beginning to up the pressure on their opponents.

Two minutes before the break Damien Charie ran into the back of Paul Rice. But referee Mr Amphlett deemed that Rice had committed the foul and pointed to the spot while also dishing out a card to the Bones player for his troubles.

Bones manager Ian Jackson said: "It was never a penalty. It's so unjust - even their manager apologised to me for it afterwards. I felt like we were in the game until the penalty. But it's hard to lift the lads after something like that happens."

"We stuck at it, though, and dominated the last half hour which shows that the spirit is still there. The lads showed character and we created three or four good chances from which we should have scored at least once. But the penalty really killed us."

Rushall started the game full of confidence having hammered the Bones 6-0 at Cecil Street just three weeks ago - both sides' last league game.

Rothwell weathered this early storm until a good move down the right ended with Neil Barnfield firing home unmarked from 15 yards and giving Tom Smith in goal no chance.

After doubling their advantage through the penalty Rushall scored their third and final goal in the first minute of the second half. the introduction of new loan robert Richie-Smith saw Rothwell begin to put more pressure on their hosts while Scott Goodwin also impressed on his debut.

But the home defence stood firm and Rothwell went home empty-handed.

Rushall: Breeden, Gough, Hayward (sub Holdcroft, 51mins), R Brown, Barrow, Preston, Cooper, Beale, Charie, McMahon, Barnfield (sub Rowe, 74 mins). Subs not used: Beckett, J Brown, Johnson.

Rothwell: Smith, Bridgeford, Purton, Rice (sub Ritchie-Smith, 71 mins), Greasley, Flannigan, Boyle-Chong (sub McInally, 55 mins), Goodwin, Stead, Bouth (sub Blackie 60 mins), Tolton.

Referee: Mr M Amphlett

Goals: Barnfield (37 mins, 1-0), Beale (43 mins, pen, 2-0), McMahon (46 mins, 3-0)

Bookings: Rice (foul), Goodwin (dissent)

Attendance: 118

Man of the match: Adam Bridgeford

Match Rating: 6

Thanks to the Evening Telegraph.