 However, he returned to lead the team out for the play-off final wearing a protective face mask sourced from Warwickshire County Cricket Club.Rushall won the play-off final and were promoted to Step 3 of English Non-League Football for the first time in their history.Smith started the 2011–12 campaign in good form but he suffered a serious achilles tendon injury in an away fixture at Hednesford Town and was ruled out for the season.