RUSHALL Olympic were dealt a double whammy as their hopes of retaining their status in National League North took a nosedive.
The Pics looked to be upsetting the formbook as they headed into injury-time with a surprise 2-1 advantage at Darlington.
After falling behind in the 18th minute after Matty Cornish headed home Caden Kelly’s cross, the writing once again looked to be on the wall.
But the Pics discovered an appetite for the fight and hit back within four minutes when Theo Williams rounded the keeper following Alexander Fletcher’s pass.
And when Seb Thompson intercepted a ball deep inside his own half after the break and powered forward, eventually releasing Austin Samuels who netted the second with 12 minutes to go, it appeared as though Richard Sneekes’s side were en route to a vital victory.
However, four minutes into added time Andrew Nelson arrived at the far post to find a leveller.
The Pics were desperate for three points to perhaps spark a desperate charge above the line and avoid the drop.
But they returned to the dressing-room to hear that their plight had taken a turn for the worse.
Oxford City, who occupy the last spot outside the relegation zone, had delivered a four-goal lesson of their own, beating the Pics’ fellow strugglers Warrington Town to establish what appears to be a decisive buffer.
It is now 11 points to safety and with the Pics boasting an inferior goal difference, the Black Country club has its work cut out over the remaining six games if they are to stay up.
