RUSTHALL ended their 10-match losing run but it still felt like two points lost.
The match was a tense affair with both teams being defensively minded but needing a result.
Hollands & Blair are one place above the Rustics in 18th in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division. They enjoyed more possession in the first half but Rusthall had better chances.
Ed Sharman nearly scored with a drive which flew just over the bar, and then a good cross from Lynos Rwodzi was firmly headed by Keeran Boylan but again went just over.
The half ended goalless and although the visitors pressed after the interval, they were unable to penetrate the Rusthall defence.
The hosts then passed out of defence to Rwodzi and he moved it on to Ryan Hinkson, who played it into the box. The ball was half-cleared but Ryan Waterman was on hand to drill it into the net.
The industrious Waterman could have scored two more, seeing one effort cleared off the line and another hitting the crossbar.
Rusthall were on top but a defensive error let the away team back into the contest.
A poor back pass allowed Pat Bishenden to round Joe Cullip in the Rusthall goal and score.
Then the Rustics fell behind when poor marking at a corner allowed David Abe to head in.
But Rusthall continued to press, and after Spencer Flowers was introduced he rounded the full-back with ease, reached the ball before the goalkeeper and scored from a tight angle.
Rusthall now travel to K Sports on Saturday [December 8, kick-off 3pm].
