Rushall Olympic 1 Nantwich Town 3

DESPITE manager Phil Parkinson missing the game through illness, Nantwich Town strengthened their promotion credentials with a notable victory at play-off rivals Rushall.

They trailed at half time in the West Midlands thanks to a long-range effort from Pics captain Aaron Forde, but a second half double from Sean Cooke and a late strike from Matt Bell allowed The Dabbers to take the points back up the M6.

The win moves Parkinson’s side up to ninth in the Evo-Stik Premier Division table, just two points outside the play-off places.

With Neil Sorvel and Danny Griggs taking charge of first team affairs, Ryan Brooke had the game’s first chance when he could only steer a free header wide.

Rushall almost scored themselves when Mo Diop raced through on goal, but his attempted pass to Forde was blocked and scrambled away.

Forde did hit the target 10 minutes before half time, however, when he picked up Diop’s lay-off and unleashing a 25-yard strike that gave Dabbers keeper Dan Gyollai no chance.

The Dabbers emerged for the second half rejuvenated in the improving weather and equalised just five minutes after the restart.

After a swift counter-attack from a Rushall corner, Joe Mwasile flicked the ball to Osebi Abadaki outpaced the home defence before unselfishly teeing up Cooke to tap home and mark his first league start in almost two months with a goal.

Bell then had a shot blocked from close range, with Abadaki firing the rebound wide as Nantwich pressed for a second goal.

That goal came when, after his initial shot was saved, Abadaki recovered possession and played in Cooke, whose shot found the net via a deflection.

The Dabbers’ tails were up and Abadaki was unlucky not to score when, having rounded the keeper, his shot was cleared off the line.

They found their third goal when Bell fired home the rebound after Steve Jones’ shot was saved.

Nantwich host Marine on Saturday, kick off 3pm.