Following a hard fought 2-1 victory against play-off hopefuls Exeter City at the weekend, Town will hope to carry their good form into Tuesday night's match at The Shay, against Rushden and Diamonds F C, who have had a mixed season so far.

After a promising opening which saw them lying 8th in mid-September, Rushden suffered a nine match streak without a win, which saw them plummet to 18th and just one point from the relegation zone - a run of poor form which was to cost manager Paul Hart his job.

Sandwiched into this run was the game against Town at Nene Park, where Chris Wilder's men recorded a relatively comfortable 1-0 victory, courtesy of an early Steve Torpey goal - though were indebted to goalkeeper Craig Mawson for an exceptional save in the final few moments of the game. Full match report here.

New manager Graham Westley, however, steered the Diamonds into a steady climb of the table, before unexpectedly being relieved of his duties as performances and squad selection failed to 'fit with the club's long term plans.' His replacement, unveiled just two days later, was former Weymouth manager, Garry Hill, who started brightly with a 3-0 home thrashing of Exeter City and a 2-2 draw with other promotion hopefuls, Morecambe. The club now lie 12th in the League Table, just three places above Town.

Although relegated from League Two last season, the two sides did meet home and away last year, in the first round of the F A Cup. The teams drew one apiece at the Shay, with Chris Senior cancelling out an early Alun Armstrong goal on the stroke of half time. In the replay, the teams ground out a goalless draw after extra-time, before Rushden emerged triumphant with a 5-4 victory on penalties.

The Diamond's relegation to the Conference along with Oxford United was their second relegation in just three years, having made the drop from League One just two seasons previously. The ascension to such dizzy heights marked a watershed in the Northamptonshire side's brief but dynamic history. Formed as recently as 1992 in an amalgamation of Southern League Rushden Town and United Counties League Irthlingborough Diamonds, they started life in the Southern League Midland Division. With the financial backing of the R Griggs Group (famous for Dr Martens and Airware footwear) they swiftly ascended the ranks to achieve promotion to the Conference in the 1995-6 season. Just five seasons later (and just nine years into their existence) the Diamonds secured promotion to the Football League proper in 2000-01 - though a major highlight for them came in the 1999 FA Cup Third Round, when they held the then high-flying Leeds United to a goalless draw at Nene Park and even led 1-0 at Elland Road, before eventually being overcome by 3 goals to 1.

In their first season in League Two, they suffered the heartache of losing the play-off final (3-1 to Cheltenham Town), but were promoted as champions the season after (2002-03). Their season in League One, however, was marred by off-the-field problems, and the Diamonds were relegated at the first attempt. The following season, they narrowly avoided consecutive drops, finishing third from bottom of League Two, but succumbed the season after, finishing bottom. Interestingly, the club was handed over by its owner, Max Griggs, to a Supporters' Trust in June 2005 - becoming the first football club to be entirely owned in this manner. This was to be a short-lived arrangement however - with control passing to new investor, Keith Cousins, in November of last year.

Overall Record Against Rushden and Diamonds

P-9, W-2, D-2, L-5, F-8, A-15.

Having lost 2 out of our 3 previous League meetings at The Shay, Town will keen to redress the balance with another solid home performance - though they are up against a team who have not lost in 9 league outings and had the luxury of a weekend off, while Town did battle with Exeter. Check out the odds for this game at Shaymenbet

Team News

The Shaymen will have been relieved in completing a tough game against Exeter without further additions to the injury list. With the new centre-half combination of Cresswell and Strong doing well on Saturday, Tyrone Thompson's return and Shane Smeltz and Steve Torpey both recapturing their fitness, Chris Wilder will enjoy the rare luxury of a bit of choice about his team selection for Tuesday.

Rushden, meanwhile, have their own central defensive problems, and will be without centre-backs, Wayne Hatswell (injured) and loanee from Boston, Mark Albrighton (suspended)


Club Connections

There are four players who have turned out for both teams in the past - Justin Jackson, Christian Lee, Steve Spooner and Paul Wilson.

Can't Get to the Game

Listen to commentary on Match Live whilst keeping a check on all the latest scores.

Other Games

For details of today's other games in the Nationwide Conference Click Here

Next Match

Following Rushden and Diamonds visit, we face an away trip to relegation strugglers, Tamworth on Saturday 17th March. Kick off 3.00pm.