Town dominated possession for long periods and played some attractive football but they were unable to break through a well organised Ruston defence.

Ruston pressed forward and took the lead in fortuitous circumstances after ten minutes when a corner from the left caught the wind and flew into the top corner of Town's net.

Town continued in the ascendancy at the start of the second half and Ruston were forced to defend deep.

However, the strong back wind proved difficult and Town's final ball often eluded the strikers.

Best chances were created by Andy Cooling who delivered some great balls in from the left but both Michael Harness and Tony Edwards just failed to get to them.

Keeper Andy Cotton kept Town in the game when he made a superb save low down to his left after a shot from Ruston's left winger appeared to have gone past him.

Tom Phillips replaced Dave Marshall as Town threw an extra man forward and it almost paid dividends as Town went close towards the end of the game.

Carl Smith played a clever one-two with Tony Edwards but the keeper reacted quickly to come off his line and smother the ball.

An Ollie Johnson free-kick then eluded the Ruston keeper but Chris Johnson was unable to direct his volley on target.

The same player then went close again when he fired a left foot volley over the bar in the final minute.

Town are at home to Boston Town on Saturday in a league fixture on The Wong, kick-off 3pm.