A victory was vital for both teams today but for contrasting reasons.

The Pics, in third place wanted to consolidate their place in the play-off positions and, of course Hitchin were hungry for points that could well ease them out of the relegation zone.

The hosts had contested a Hertfordshire Senior cup semi-final against Cheshunt and in an underwhelming performance they were eliminated in extra-time.

At the very least it was preparation for the game, which saw a composed, tight performance against a team from whom they had snatched a late draw in the corresponding fixture, with skipper Dan Webb scoring both the goals, the second being a dramatic stoppage time equaliser.

They were without Stephen Gleeson who had received an injury at Cheshunt, and on the substitutes' bench was new signing James Peters.

Although there was spring sunshine, it was quite cold and a tricky breeze made conditions more difficult than desired, but it was the hosts who adapted better. The wind nominally favoured Hitchin, but was of no great assistance, with clearances often hanging in the air and often with alarming unpredictability.

An initial Pics' attack saw Horlock down to cut out the cross and Ben Usher-Shipway instigated his series of long throw-ins, which seemed to suit the conditions – but their predilection for the long ball was a wayward tactic, as was their seeming reluctance to keep the ball 'on the floor'.

Preparatory play from Olympic was often generally sound but the finish was negligible- and today the visitors came up against a defence that was both comfortable and composed, especially in the air.

Rushall have had an irritating habit of scoring early goals against Hitchin but not so today, where direct attempts on goal were curiously absent.

It was end to end stuff for the opening spell, but already Hitchin were looking the stronger side.

Jourdain Masidi received a decent through ball but could not exploit it and at the other end Jake Hutchinson, whose loan from Colchester United has been extended, won a corner.

Josh Coldicott-Stevens put in a nice in-swinging ball, headed to Hutchinson by Webb, but this effort went wide.

A move involving Malaki Black and JCS saw Hitchin win a free-kick centrally at about twenty-five yards but the wind helped this one sail harmlessly over the bar.

Steve Cawley had picked up an injury and he needed to be replaced by Rio Dasilva. Then it was Rushall's chance to see a shot go way over the cross bar, following a cross from Tyler Little. Another testing long throw from Usher-Shipway was defended.

He did not give up with these and I could see the point as sooner or later it may have induced an error. This may have been understandable in the tricky breeze but I number the Hitchin defending as among their best performances. Their midfield play was far more fluent than at Cheshunt and passing was generally an improvement.

The opening goal came after twenty-six minutes and it followed a fine piece of work on the left that was marked by persistence and a fine pass from Rio Dasilva enabling Hutchinson to slip the ball past Jonathan Flatt, deputising for the suspended Thomas Palmer, who had been dismissed in the Pics' defeat against champions elect Banbury United.

The goal was greeted in the manner expected and once more Hitchin had what I call 'the nervous lead'.

We know too well how in the past that hard earned lead has had been wiped out, often with just minutes remaining.

Focus and discipline have improved and it was no doubt a great fillip to go one up against a team third in the table who looked just a little dispirited. There was much to do, of course, and the team did it well and deserved the three points.

These points were still a long way away and after a free-lick from JCS right at Flatt, Barker's optimistic shot from range was almost embarrassingly high.

The Pics had a free-kick that looked the business, but Horlock was fouled. Jack Green, back in the team following injury, won a free-kick, tasked by JCS and aimed at Webb, but a corner was the result and this went into the gloves of Flatt.

JCS took another free-kick which was more of a 'dink' and this brought another corner that was well defended. At the other end Moore over hit one and it tangled in the trees.

Before the intervals there was a short flurry of attacking activity from the Pics, with another long throw aimed to cause mayhem but did not. Right at the end there was a fine solo run from Ciaren Jones that brought a corner, yes, the 'patent' one and an unintended air-shot from Hutchinson. Next time, chaps, was my thought and shortly after the whistle went.

Hitchin had their goal and, really, a second goal which would give the almost unheard of luxury of a two goal.

Even then it would still need to have the team on its mettle, since we remember squandering such a lead at Lowestoft.

I was not alone in thinking that the Pics were well below their best. Horlock did not have a shot on target to deal with and their best work came from the corners and long throws. Their long passes often found the man, but there it seemed that the creativity ceased.

I was pleased to be informed by Pics' vice -chairman Nick Allen that the club's Olympic title emanated from the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 – and the club was founded in the 1890's.

I always like little gaps like that's filled in. I would also place them in Staffordshire, ignoring the huge geographical revision that insists on being called West Midlands.

However, there was still the second half to get through here in Hertfordshire, and for home supporters we knew it would last a long time.

We speculated on a second goal, like children looking at sweets through a shop window. Caution was of the essence and the visitors began in earnest with a short spell of pressing football, with Hitchin defending cautiously.

But once this had subsided we enjoyed the fact that Jack Green was adding his weight to attacking moves. Then came the trademark concession of a free-kick, wide on the right, almost level with the six yard box.

This was defended, as were other efforts, and once more I inwardly applauded the good organisation and the emphasis on clarity rather than artistry.

Usher-Shipway persisted with another good long throw, necessitating a low dive from Horlock and then an on target shot from Hutchinson saw a notable save by Flatt. Usher-Shipway, with admirable persistence tried his luck with a shot, held by Horlock following a slight deflection.

Thomas Thorley sent a cross in from the right and once again Horlock was alert and intercepted at the timely moment.

Then, following an equally persistent move on the right, Lewis Barker had the chance of a cross, but instead he narrowed his eyes and put in a blockbuster of a shot that found the top corner and then the hugs of congratulation from his team mates.

It was a superb goal and yes, we now had the luxury and the comfort of a two goal lead and it looked increasingly likely that this would remain intact.

We had played just over an hour and Hitchin had been the better team. I remarked that a player of Lewis Barker's temperament means that that was the kind of goal he would score as I cannot imagine him having a tap in.

It was an important goal as it enabled the team to see the game out without yielding to any threat from the curiously mute Olympic.

Mind you, it could well have been three-nil when after a timely assistance from Green saw Hutchinson through on goal. He had too much time and as often happens was far more inaccurate than if he had only a nano second to fire his shot away. I think a three-nil lead would have made us just a little intoxicated with such a score.

The Pics lost Richard Batchelor to a numbing injury and after he limped off he was replaced by Owen Parry.

There fell yet another chance for the upbeat Hutchinson but he fired straight at Flatt. This was followed by a chance for Dan Glover at the other end and he more or less summed up his team's performance by falling over himself. It was a surprisingly downbeat performance from Rushall – not that we are complaining.

So, a leap forward for Hitchin whose delight at winning was brought a little into perspective with the news that relegation rivals Lowestoft had a handsome victory at the hitherto impregnable Coalville and bottom club Biggleswade Town notched up the first win for some time.

Bromsgrove lost and Hitchin climbed on their backs to reach the dizzy heights of fourth from bottom. No red line just above our name for the moment.

Such results means that it will remain fiercely competitive in the nether regions and a glance at the fixture list shows that the run in will be far from comfortable and it may well go to the last game of the season.

But today short of improving our goals difference further, the team could do no more than garner maximum points and deserves praise for the manner in which they did it.

Discipline and understanding were both notable. There are seven league games to go, with three only at home, so now is the optimum time to improve on the somewhat modest away form.

This begins at the rescheduled match at Stratford Town on Tuesday evening.

It is worth finishing on the note that today's game was a pay what you want game, and thus the attendance of 619 was above average and the majority went away well pleased at a solid home performance, two fine goals and maximum points.

HITCHIN TOWN

Charlie Horlock, Jack Green, Alex Brown, Stanley Georgiou, Daniel Webb, captain, Ciaren Jones, this reporter's man of the match, Josh Coldicott-Stevens, Lewis Barker, GOAL,60 MINUTES, Sponsor's Man of the Match, Jacob Hutchinson, GOAL, 26 MINUTES, Stephen Cawley, (Rio Dasilva), Malaki Black. Unused substitutes- Michael Conlon, Johnny Allotey, Ben Stevens and James Peters.

RUSHALL OLYMPIC

Jonathan Flatt, Kristian Green, Reece Mitchell, Thomas Thorley, Sam Whitall, Ben Usher-Shipway, opposition star man, Alex Moore, (Callum Coyle), Dan Glover, Richard Batchelor, captain, cautioned, (Owen Parry), Tyler Little, Jourdain Masidi, (Rackeem Reid). Unused substitutes- Mitchell Clark and Alex Graham, GK.

Referee- Mr J Bloxham, assisted by Mr J Sedley and Mr C Poole.

Attendance: 619

REPORT BY PIPEMAN