Rushall Olympic stun Hednesford Town with last-gasp derby winner while Stafford Rangers rut continues
Rushall Olympic struck in the dying embers to secure a shock but vital victory over local rivals Hednesford Town.
Jakub Kruszynski headed home in the 89th minute to topple the Northern Premier League leaders at Dales Lane.
The win lifted Rushall out of the relegation zone and up to 14th place, leaving them three points clear of danger.
It was the response boss Ian Long was looking for after he described the Pics as having played like a pub team following their heavy Boxing Day defeat to Ilkeston Town.
It ended table-toppers Hednesford's 10-game unbeaten run, which included seven victories. The Pitmen remain top of the standings but could be knocked off their perch by second-placed Hebburn Town, who play on Saturday.
New Hednesford signing Omari Sterling-James was named among the substitutes. The winger joined the Pitmen for an undisclosed fee from National League North strugglers Hereford.
The 32-year-old said: "I know a few of the lads here and I’ve played with Lee before, so that connection definitely helped. Being local made it even more appealing.
"I’ve played across the leagues and more recently at National League North, and now I just want to come in, work hard and help the team get promoted. That’s the aim. I’m excited to get started and be part of what’s building here."
Elsewhere, Stafford Rangers' miserable run continued as they shipped five second-half goals in a 6-1 defeat at Nantwich Town.
Jack Birch found John Atherton to put Rangers ahead after 10 minutes, but they conceded six minutes before half-time to go in level at the break.
Neil Kitching's side then capitulated, conceding three times within the opening eight minutes of the second half and twice more in the final half-hour to suffer their heaviest defeat of the season.
Stafford are now winless in 10 Northern One West matches and sit 17th, level on points with Wythenshawe Town, who occupy a relegation spot.
A Callum Knowles brace helped strugglers Darlaston Town edge closer to safety with a 2-1 win over Shifnal Town. Knowles netted an 82nd-minute winner to secure the Citizens' second victory in three games.
Joey Butlin scored an impressive free-kick as Chasetown beat Sporting Khalsa 3-1 to move closer to the play-off places. The win was Chasetown's second in succession and leaves them eighth.
Meanwhile, in the Northern One Midlands, Lichfield City suffered a third consecutive defeat, losing 1-0 at Sutton Coldfield Town to slip to 10th in the table.