Diamonds suffered defeat at St Ives but crucially remained three points clear in fifth place.
They never really got going throughout the contest, with the hosts harrying them into mistakes, seemingly being the first to every loose ball and creating some good opportunities. Paddy Casey made a vital block inside 30 seconds, though Rushden did respond and went close through Fernando Bell-Toxtle’s powerful run and strike that was deflected over. From the resulting corner Ben Diamond’s header across goal was turned into his own net by ex-Rushden man Nabil Shariff, but the strike was controversially ruled out for offside. Ives went mightily close from a corner that was flicked just wide, and Dean Snedker made a brilliant save from close-range following a deep free-kick.
The visitors improved in the second half following a change in system and the introduction of AJ George. Will Jones hooked an effort narrowly wide, and George then fired over in Diamonds’ best chance of the game. Nathan Tshikuna flashed a free-kick just past the post, but Ives continued to look sharper and, after Shariff missed a good chance, they forged ahead when substitute Neremiah Richard-Noel was left free at a corner to head home. George curled another shot wide, but they couldn’t force a leveller which would have confirmed a play-off place following Alvechurch’s loss at champions Banbury.
First half
Following Saturday’s crucial win at home to Bromsgrove, manager Burgess made just one alteration to the starting XI. Connor Furlong, who had curled in a sublime second in that victory, returned to the side replacing Lewis Johnson who took a place on the substitutes bench.
Diamonds entered the contest knowing that if they bettered Alvechurch’s result, then they would be guaranteed a top-five finish. They also had a potential chance to move up to fourth if they won and if Rushall drew or lost at third-placed Coalville. Though Ives had conceded the most goals in the division, they had won impressively 3-0 at Stratford last time out and had won two of their last three. Rushden were unbeaten in their past six and had only lost one of their previous nine clashes against the hosts.
Despite being virtually guaranteed of another season at Step 3, Ives started the brighter and would go on to have the better of the opening period. The right flank in particular proved to be a source of danger and, inside the opening 30 seconds, Liam Cross got down that wing and pulled it back to Nabil Shariff whose goalbound effort was terrifically charged down by Paddy Casey. Moments later they suffered an injury setback when Oran Jackson went down and was unable to continue, with Callum Milne taking his place.
Cross was played in behind on the right a couple more times in the early exchanges, but his first ball in was well blocked by Sam Warburton and the second was cleared upfield. Midfielder Michael Richens then stepped forward from deep only for his long-range strike to sail harmlessly over.
After 15 minutes, Rushden started to get a bit of a foothold in the game. Captain Fernando Bell-Toxtle embarked on a terrific run from midfield that took him into the left of the area, but a combination of keeper Edward Brearey and a sliding defender deflected the effort out for a corner. Nathan Tshikuna’s delivery towards the back post found the leaping Ben Diamond, and his header back across was turned into his own net under no pressure by Shariff. The visitors celebrated, but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside and remained up after consultation between the officials meaning the goal was disallowed.
A few crosses from both sides were cleared, with Casey anticipating one excellent to deal with the danger, before an Ives corner almost led to the opening goal. Another ex-Diamonds man, Luke Fairlamb, swung a dangerous delivery in towards the near post that was flicked on. It deflected off a Rushden man and could have dropped anywhere, but thankfully for the visitors it looped just past the post.
After Richens fired over the bar and Dylan Williams also shot off-target, the hosts had another excellent chance from a ball in. This time it was a deep free-kick from the left that found an Ives player in space, and his close-range effort was somehow parried away by Dean Snedker before being hacked clear. There was just enough time for Shariff to head over before Casey couldn’t re-direct a Tshikuna free-kick, but it remained goalless at the interval.
Half time: St Ives Town FC 0-0 AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Second half
The second period began quietly, with Fairlamb over-hitting a cross from a promising position before slamming an effort into the side-netting. Will Jones then had a decent opportunity after Tshikuna’s corner was headed back into the danger area by Bell-Toxtle, but the young striker could only hook his instinctive effort wide of the post.
Diamonds had changed from their 4-4-2 system midway through the first half to a 4-2-3-1 formation, which allowed Tshikuna to play more centrally and affect the game. AJ George replaced Jones on the hour mark, and he had a good opportunity only three minutes after his introduction. A neat move led to Ben Diamond having a cross deflected through to the substitute in space inside the box, but he snatched at the chance and fired over.
Shariff continued to threaten sporadically, as firstly he headed over from a right-wing cross and he could then only tamely steer an effort straight at Snedker from a threatening position.
Three minutes of high drama soon ensued. George latched onto a through-ball before being hacked down by Fairlamb right on the edge of the box, a challenge that earnt the home full-back a booking. Tshikuna measured up the free-kick and hit it low that left Brearey rooted to the spot, but it flew narrowly wide.
Diamond was then booked for an aerial challenge, with news then filtering through that Banbury had fought back to take the lead against Alvechurch. It meant a point would have been enough to secure a play-off place but, from the next attack, Ives went ahead. An inswinging corner from the right found substitute Neremiah Richard-Noel who had escaped his marker, and he gleefully headed home past the helpless Snedker.
Rushden huffed and puffed in their attempts to find a leveller, but the closest they came was when George received a precise pass from Connor Furlong only to bend his effort wide of the post.
Full time: St Ives Town FC 1-0 AFC Rushden & Diamonds
This was a disappointing display and result, with Diamonds never able to build enough pressure or possession to force the issue and pose much of a threat to Ives. Though Snedker wasn’t forced into many saves, the hosts created the better chances and never let Rushden settle throughout the contest.
Alvechurch lost 2-1 at Banbury, so it goes down to the final day (Saturday 23 April, 3pm kick-off) when Diamonds host Nuneaton Borough to decide who will finish in fifth place and the final play-off position. They will clinch that spot if they draw or win, or if Alvechurch fail to beat Royston, and fourth place could potentially be up-for-grabs as well if Rushall fail to beat relegated Lowestoft.
Diamonds Man of the Match: Paddy Casey
Attendance: 564
Match report by Ollie Mortimer
Diamonds: Snedker, Diamond, Warburton, Bell-Toxtle (C), Dolman, Casey, Furlong, Akubuine (Diakiesse 87), Jones (George 60), Graham, Tshikuna (subs not used: Johnson, Hughes, Snelus)
Diamonds goals: None
Diamonds yellows: Diamond (77)
St Ives Town FC: Edward Brearey, Joshua Flanagan, Oran Jackson (Callum Milne 4), Michael Richens (C), Edmund Hottor, Nabil Shariff (Tyrone Baker 76), Dylan Williams, Luke Fairlamb, Ben Toseland, Ethan Johnston (Neremiah Richard-Noel 60), Liam Cross (subs not used: Brett Solkhon, Andrew Osei-Bonsu)
St Ives Town FC goals: Richard-Noel (78)
St Ives Town FC yellows: Fairlamb (75)
