centre back Liam Dolman score two identical goals to secure a win for Diamonds that was harsh on Deeping.

Played on a heavy pitch this was a competitive match with both sides playing neat football although both defences were steadfast and offered few opportunities to their opponents.

As could be expected Diamonds started strongly and a chance fell to prolific Russ Dunkley as he got slightly ahead of Spencer Tinkler in the box but Tinkler's superb challenge thwarted the danger, Elliot Lamb-Johnson then capitalised on Danny Bircham’s weak clearance but his run was halted by a fine Joe Braithwaite challenge.

The breakthrough for Rushden came on 12 mins, a Richard Bunting corner was met by the unchallenged Liam Dolman who headed downwards and past keeper Bircham.

This prompted Deeping to raise their game and while they competed in a good, disciplined manner they lacked a certain spark, however their neat football was giving the visitors something to think about – Scott Ginty fed Jordan Avis who returned to Ginty who saw his shot wide.

Home skipper was leading by example and he fed Jezz Goldson-Williams in the box, he turned and shot straight at Matt Finlay in the away goal.

At the other end a fierce Declan Rogers free kick had Bircham getting down smartly to save well.

Rangers levelled on 30 mins, Tom Smith collected a good pass from Charlie Coulson to free Jordan Avis into the visitor’s box, he sidestepped and shot through the crowd into the far corner.

Jamie Graham and Goldson-Williams combined to set up Coulson whose smart curling shot was just over the bar.

A Rushden corner saw Deeping struggle to clear with the ball falling for Rogers to cross for Tommy Berwick but he headed wide, then Berwick's good trickery got around Braithwaite to cross for Rogers to shoot where Tinkler was on hand with a good block.

Rangers had the last chance of the first half as Graham and Burton-Jones combined to set up Ginty whose shot from the edge of box was too high.

Half Time – Deeping Rangers 1 AFC Rushdne & Diamonds 1

Diamonds had an early chance in the second half when Bunting robbed Avis and progressed into the home box but stumbled as he was about to shoot and the ball went through to Bircham, Berwick then collected well in the box and turned smartly to shoot straight at Bircham.

Rushden were having the better of possession, with Deeping contributing to their own problems by giving the ball away too often, Dunkley fed Rogers to hit a goal bound shot only to hit defending Dan Flack.

Another Rangers missed pass freed Tom Lorraine down the left for Rushden but he wasted the chance with a poor cross, however Diamonds took the lead on 64 mins with a replica goal as the first half – a Bunting corner saw another free header for Liam Dolman to head home.

Things got worse for Deeping as Ginty’s lunge at Lorraine saw the referee show a red card – the home faithful felt this was a little harsh but in today’s game the referee maybe was about right.

Deeping Manager Korkmaz made a triple substitution on 75 mins and this gave the Rangers team a new impetus however they almost fell further behind as Lorraine collected from Dunkley and fired goal wards where Bircham was at full stretch only to parry into the path of Berwick whose effort was high with the goal gaping.

Deeping’s Hamid went close as he held off a couple of challenges to curl a shot that had Finlay at full length to collect as the ball was heading for the far corner.

Diamonds’ Rogers turned in the box to shoot under Bircham where Dunkley was about to apply the finishing touches only to be thwarted by a goal line clearance from Flack.

Hamid’s in swinging free kick then had the Diamonds defence in trouble but Dolman headed clear from under the bar.

The last good opportunity fell to the visitors, a Deeping free kick was cleared out to Berwick, who won the tussle with Smith to set Rogers free but has he ran he ran over the ball and Braithwaite was on hand to take control.

Rangers felt that they deserved something from the game and were frustrated that they lost to two set piece goals having repelled virtually all the attacking threats posed by Diamonds – Tunch can be pleased by the performance of the 'developing side' against the Champions elect (that still as some way to run but they look in a good position).

Full Time – Deeping Rangers 1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 2

Match Sponsor – Dave Toone – Helper and Supporter

DRFC Man of the Match – Jordan Avis

Footnote!
To Mr C - is it a C or an S - well it could be both in this day and age - but I have changed to a C