Danny South’s return to the club from Hallam F C proved to be the catalyst for a gritty but effective performance in atrocious conditions at the Hayden Road Stadium.

South went straight into the starting line up in his striking role while De Girolamo has moved on elsewhere under a dual registration arrangement.

Bastos was named as a substitute while Bowman adopted a more advanced role in midfield, however the return to fitness of skipper Broadhead allowed the back four to return to its usual formation.

A wind approaching gale force combined with driving rain even made watching the game quite unpleasant at times, but both teams made the best of the conditions.

It wasn’t surprising that neither team could play the football they would normally have played and consequently there were long spells of frantic activity.

Rushden’s left winger Russell forced Preston into a superb one handed save in the 15th minute, and in the 23rd minute the same player struck a fierce shot that the Belper ‘keeper saved comfortably.

It was in the 28th minute that the Nailers had their first close encounter in the Rushden penalty area; this after Gratton had carried the ball for twenty yards but a well time tackle denied him a shooting opportunity.

An impressive six man move two minutes later ended with Gratton firing just wide, and in the 37th minute the Nailers went ahead under unusual circumstances.

Rushden ‘keeper Terenenowicz seemed to have plenty of time to clear the ball but under pressure from Wafula, he lost control of the ball and Wafula snapped up the opportunity with a smart finish.

The second half started in torrential rain and didn’t help the quality of football from either team.
Russell had the first effort of the half on 57 minutes with a dipping volley that wasn’t too far away.

The Nailers were looking more effective playing against the wind and in the 65th minute Belper tightened their grip on the game when Keenan’s cross from the left was nodded down towards goal by South and skidded under the unfortunate ‘keeper and into the net.

Rushden redoubled their efforts and it was Rushden skipper Nketia whose cross from the right almost fooled Preston, but the ball shaved the cross bar on its way out of play.

On a night that the hosts ‘keeper made two errors, it was Preston’s turn on 75 minutes when he let a routine cross slip through his hands and Russell was in the right place to fire the ball home.

A back header from South on 85 minutes was fumbled by the host ‘keeper but he managed to hold on to the ball to prevent Belper scoring.

Preston needed to palm a shot over the cross bar as Rushden intensified their efforts in the final minutes, but the Nailers defended stoutly to claim all three points to consolidate their playoff hopes.

AFC Rushden and Diamonds: Terenowicz, Adegbola (Hartley 69), Findlay (Findlay 89), Nketia, Thomas, Dallas, Barnett (Graham 79), Webster, Adams {O’Brien 61 (Ehsani 82)], Evans, Russell.

Belper Town: Preston, Rhodes, Keenan, Fankwe, Broadhead, Evans, Bowman, Burrows, South, Wafula, Gratton (Moran 77). Unused subs: Hassett, Markelic, Bastos, Draper.

Referee: Harry Price

Attendance: 253