from the home side that lacked their normal energy and drive and that was never going to be enough against the strongest side that Deeping have faced.

It was Diamonds who started on the offensive, Courtney Herbert fed Claudia Hoban out wide, he took a touch and fired goalwards where the ball was blocked by Dan Flack and ricocheted into the hands of Danny Bircham.

Rangers’ Fraser Sturgess seized on the loose ball by Delroy Gordon, he burst forward to release Scott Mooney whose progressed was halted by Liam Dolman’s challenge as he was about to shoot.

Rushden’s Sam Brown sent in a deep cross that Tom Smith headed clear but only to Tommy Berwick whose first time effort was wide of the post, at the other end Deeping had a good chance as Scott Coupland’s subtle pass released Sturgess, he cut inside and curled for the far post but was inches wide.

Diamonds broke the deadlock on 22 mins, Herbert got the better of Flack down the left to pull back into the path of sub Scott Joseph who despatched his shot inside the far post

Although not having the same competiveness as against Leek, Rangers were still creating the odd half chance, Mooney exchanged passes with skipper David Burton-Jones only to shoot weakly at visiting keeper Matt Finlay

The lively Herbert sent in a deep cross to the home box where the clearance was met by Tom Lorraine to shoot and bring a fine save from Bircham, Bircham then made an even better saved as he tipped away Joseph’s 25 yard effort.

Deeping’s Luke Avis collected on the edge of the box, worked his space for a shot that had Finlay reacting quickly to tip away with a good save, Jason Kilbride had a free header, from Sturgess’ corner, but was off target – good play from Sturgess and Coupland played in Mooney into the box but he could not get control of the ball.

Herbert show some trickery to get into the home box only to see his effort well defended by Luke Hunnings who cleared the danger.

Diamonds doubled their advantage on 44 mins, Joseph collected outside the box, twisted and fired towards the goal where Hunnings made a tremendous block only to see the ball spin into the path of Tom Lorraine whose touch set up a shooting opportunity that flew into the far corner of the net past the helpless Bircham.

Half Time - Deeping Rangers 0 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 2

The game continued in the same manner as the second half got going, Berwick burst through the challenges into the home box to be stopped by a fine Hunnings’ tackle while at the other end Coupland and Sturgess combined to get Sturgess into a shooting opportunity only to Gordon clear the danger for the visitors.

Rushden finished the scoring on 61 mins, Joseph sent a pass into Dan Quigley, his touch found the Tommy Berwick free in the box and he coolly side footed home into the corner.

Bircham saved Rangers again when Brown’s long throw was headed towards his own goal by Tinkler to bring a full length save from Bircham at the foot of the post.

The visitors had done enough and kept Rangers at arms length while applying patient paly on their part – Joseph held off the challenge of Hunnings to shoot that was deflected away for a corner, Quigley met Berwick’s corner to see his header clip the top of the bar.

Rangers had a rare chance, Coupland’s corner was met by Tinkler to head high over the bar, a good break down the right saw Jezz Goldson-Williams free Flack, his sharp cross into the box only found the retreating Brad Harris where the ball ricocheted into the hands of Finlay, Coupland tried from long range that saw Finlay take well at his feet.

Deeping’s FA Cup run for 2015 was over – a disappointing performance that did not get near to the heights seen when they beat Leek – still plenty of the season to go!!

Full Time - Deeping Rangers 0 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 3

Attendance - 635

DRFC Player of the Match - Spencer Tinkler

Match Ball Sponsor:

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