An extremely debatable penalty deep into injury time cost Town all 3 points from a game they dominated for large periods against Rushden and Diamonds.And, on another day The Shaymen would have scored a hatful with better finishing.

Rushden were indebted to keeper Paul Bastock who pulled off a string of fine saves, especially in the first half as a fluent Town side threatened to score a hat full.But, they have to settle for a point after Simeon Jackson's late spot kick.

Anthony Griffith shot over early on and Bastock made the first of many saves when he stopped Danny Forrest's header from Steve Torpey's left wing cross.

Forrest headed over from a good position in the 20^th minute.Tom Kearney's through ball found Andy Campbell on the left of the penalty area and his turn and cross fell for the ex Bradford man but he couldn't direct his header on target.

Two minutes later a Steve Torpey free kick gave Town a deserved lead.Campbell was fouled on the right side of the penalty area and up stepped Torpey to crack an unstoppable free kick into the top corner.Seconds after the restart Campbell almost capitalised on confusion in the visiting defence but Bastock rescued his side again.

Another Torpey free kick hit the wall and Town continued attacking with Jon Shaw going close. And, a second goal almost arrived in first half stoppage time when Torpey's corner was volleyed goal wards by Campbell but Bastock palmed the ball away and Town had to settle for a single goal lead.Such was their superiority Craig Mawson didn't have a save to make in the opening 45 minutes.

Cortez Belle headed a 51^st minute header over and almost bettered this 2 minutes later when he met a Torpey corner but Bastock saved again.At the other end Mawson comfortably gathered a deflected shot from former Shaymen, who along with Dean Howell, made their returns to The Shay.

Jon Shaw headed straight at Bastock and the keeper saved smartly from Campbell who was released by a precision pass from Belle.

Rushden brought on substitute Chris Hope, initially at centre half, but he was soon thrown forward as the visitors chased the game.Mawson saved well when he met a ball forward then Town substitute Daryl Taylor raced clear only to be thwarted by that man Bastock.

Matt Doughty and Greg Young making a welcome return from injury as Chris Wilder looked to secure the points.But in the 3^rd minute of stoppage time a challenge on Jackson was deemed illegal by Referee Harwood and the same player dusted himself down to score from the spot.