DIAMONDS G COURTESY OF
RUSHDEN held on for a crucial victory in their play-off push to retain fifth place in the table.
Andy Burgess had been announced as permanent manager on Friday after an interim spell in charge, and his side were looking to extend a run that had seen them lose only one of their previous nine.
Burgess told The NLP: “It was a tough game against a very organised side, but we stuck at it and produced two moments of quality. It was a huge win for us.”
They almost got off to the perfect start when Nathan Tshikuna’s strike was dropped, but the Bromsgrove defence were able to clear it away. Aside from that, it was a close and edgy opening half without too many clear-cut chances. Bromsgrove had only won two away games so far this season and, though they threatened occasionally from set-pieces in particular, their final pass or strike often let them down.
Tshikuna had a free-kick curl narrowly wide, and the midfielder played a big part in Rushden taking the lead after 39 minutes. His exquisite cross from the left was perfect for young striker Will Jones to power home his first home league goal for the club.
Play swung from end to end at the start of the second half, as Callum Ebanks missed two presentable opportunities for the visitors and home winger
Lewis Johnson almost forced an own-goal.
Diamonds did double their lead later in the half as Connor Furlong, who had been on the pitch for less than ten minutes, jinked inside from the right before curling a sumptuous strike past Oliver Taylor and into the far corner.
Bromsgrove, who had won two of their last three before this contest, continued to fight and pulled one back on the stroke of full-time when substitute Jamie Molyneux snuck an effort under the sprawling Dean Snedker.
They had a chance to nick a late leveller when Joshua Quaynor fired over, but Rushden had done enough to seal the three points and stay ahead of their nearest challengers whilst also moving only one point behind fourth-placed Rushall.
STAR MAN: Liam Dolman (AFC Rushden & Diamonds) ENTERTAINMENT: