Conference National

Tamworth 0

Rushden and Diamonds 1

A late goal from Max Porter boosted Rushden's promotion hopes and broke Tamworth hearts on Saturday.

The visitors had the better of the first half chances but Tamworth responded well after the break, only for Porter to nick it with seven minutes left.

Rushden went close to taking a second minute lead as Jefferson Louis' shot found Aaron O'Connor who saw his close range effort well saved by Danny Alcock.

A low free-kick from Michael Blackwood went wide for Tamworth while, at the other end, Lee Tomlin fired a set-piece straight at Alcock in a tight opening 25 minutes.

Just before the break, Matt Pattison hit an inviting ball across the Tamworth box but neither Louis or Tomlin could apply the finishing touch.

The Lambs started the second half well and, on 48 minutes, Iyseden Christie turned and fired in a shot which was well saved by Dale Roberts and Kurt Robinson did well to intercept the rebound with Seb Lake-Gaskin set to pounce.

Louis sent a close range header straight at Alcock on 58 minutes while Tamworth's Michael Wylde flashed his header well wide from a Tom Shaw corner.

The visitors took the lead on 83 minutes as Porter picked up a Mark Byrne centre 20 yards out, advanced a few yards and hit a low shot from the edge of the area which squeezed past Alcock.

Christie sent a weak, stoppage time header straight at Roberts as the home side searched for an equaliser but it was the visitors who held on.