AFC Rushden & Diamonds 1-1 Leiston - Match Report

Tom Bullard failed a late fitness test while Patrick Brothers was injured before this match. Harrison Bacon dropped to the bench and Seb Dunbar and Harry Knights were suspended. This meant that Noel Aitkens, Will Davies and Christy Finch came into the starting eleven. David Head and Joshua Hitter came into the squad and onto the subs bench.

The early part of this match was played mainly in the middle of the park, with chances at a premium. The hosts did take the lead in the 23rd minute though. A ball into the box was met by the head of Jack Ashton and he looped a header over Marcus Garnham into the keepers bottom left hand corner. Christy Finch and Matt Blake then had chances that went wide of the Rushden goal while Zack Reynolds forced Marcus Garnham into a decent stop as half time approached.

Leiston forced a couple of chances at the start of the second period. Christy Finch’s effort fell into the path of Will Davies and he hit the crossbar. But in the 55th minute Leiston did level as Matt Rutterford curled home a shot from 12 yards out. The Blues dominated for the next 20 minutes as Byron Lawrence’s free kick went just wide and Matt Blake rounded the keeper but Rushden captain Dan Holman cleared off the line. The home side had chances late on but both teams had to settle for a point as Rushden are now five points outside the play-offs while Leiston drop a place to 11th.

FT: - AFC Rushden & Diamonds 1-1 Leiston.

The Blues host Alvechurch next weekend at Victory Road in their next match.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds: - Heath, Reynolds, Collard, Dolman, Rogers (Bowen 70 mins), Dean, Curtis (Farrell 60 mins), Lorraine (Johnson 85 mins), Diamond, Hicks. Subs not used: - Westbrook, Acquaye.

Leiston: - Garnham, Hammond, Eagle, Aitkens, Jefford, Keys, Lawrence, Rutterford (Hitter 89 mins), Davies (Docherty 82 mins, Bacon 90 mins), Blake, Finch. Subs not used: - Head, Lay-Fulcher.

Man of the match: - George Keys.

Attendance: - 620.