Rushden & Diamonds

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Rushden & Diamonds 0-0 Kettering Town

City and play-off rivals Rushden & Diamonds and Kettering Town played out a goalless draw in the Blue Square Premier on Saturday.

Rushden remain within the play-off places on 56 points while Kettering are just a point worse off and lie outside the top five with Luton separating the two sides.

The match was evenly contested with both sides getting into good goalscoring opportunities but failing to find the back of the net.

Lee Tomlin had a couple of early shots for the home side but he only succeeded in firing high and wide before Max Porter saw his volley fly over the Kettering bar.

Poppies striker Kwesi Appiah then fluffed his chance on 19 minutes before Mark Byrne saw his cross land on the Kettering net.

The remainder of the first half was played more in midfield with neither side able to settle in to a passing rhythm although the home side had the bulk of the possession.

Porter's 47th-minute header was an indication of things to come in the second half as the ball flew harmlessly wide from Tomlin's cross.

Rushden were also let off when John Dempster headed Marcus Kelly's cross wide.

Aaron O'Connor had the best chance of the match on 56 minutes when he hit the post from 12 yards with former Kettering keeper Nathan Abbey beaten.

James Dance saw two chances go by as he first scuffed his close-range shot before then hitting the ball into keeper Dale Roberts. Tomlin, meanwhile could only hit his effort into stands.

Rushden & Diamonds bookings: Stuart, Terry

Kettering bookings: Hadfield, Jennings

Att: 2998

Ref: Michael Bull