Rushden & Diamonds

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Chris Hope

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Rushden & D 2-1 Salisbury

Rushden & Diamonds picked up their first win in six games and ended Salisbury's 11 game unbeaten run when they defeated them 2-1 at home.

The first half hour was an evenly contested affair with both sides failing to produce any clear-cut chances.

But it was the home side who manged to break the deadlock when player-coach Chris Hope headed home after 31 minutes despite desperate attempts from the Whites goalkeeper James Bittner to keep the ball out.

The Diamonds doubled their advantage just before the interval when Marcus Kelly swung over a right-footed cross which found Michael Rankine, who chested down and fired on goal -only to watch his shot parried away by Bittner. The ball fell to Neil Cousins, who made no mistake from right in front to give his side a two-goal cushion at half-time.

The home side started the second-half the stronger of the two teams and Cousins almost netted his second of the game with a scissors kick, which brought out a fine save from Bittner.

The home side then took their foot off the pedal as the Whites tried to play their way back into the contest and they were given a glimmer of hope five minutes from time when Djoumin Sangare took advantage of some poor defending to blast a low shot into the net.

The hitman then almost grabbed an equaliser in stoppage time when a well-taken corner from Darrell Clarke found Sangare, but he headed just wide as the Diamonds held on for a well-deserved victory.

Rushden & Diamonds bookings: Kelly, McNamara.

Salisbury bookings: Clarke, Herring.

Att: 1,352

Ref: Ray Lee (Essex).