Gizmo
10-12-2006, 01:15
Struggling Rushden & Diamonds battled their way to a deserved victory against Nationwide Conference National leaders Oxford United at Nene Park on Saturday.
Diamonds were rewarded for a bright start when Curtis Woodhouse headed home Tyrone Berry's cross to give them the lead after only 6 minutes.
Tony Godden's side were unlucky not to win by more than a single goal after a number of chances were spurned by Michael Rankine and Tom Shaw.
But the result was a setback for Oxford's promotion bid as they lost for only the second time this term.
However, Jim Smith's side remain at the summit after nearest rivals Dagenham & Redbridge also slipped to a surprise defeat on their travels.
An own goal from Shane Blackett, who will be joining Peterborough in January, in injury-time gave Exeter City a 3-2 win over the Daggers.
Up until then it appeared the points would be shared, with Dave Rainford levelling matters at two apiece after Adam Stansfield and Jamie Mackie had scored for The Grecians.
Paul Benson had given Dagenham an early lead but they left St James Park with nothing when Blackett put through his own net in the 91st minute.
Third-placed Burton Albion were another front-runner to fall, despite Lee Fowler putting them in front against Aldershot Town at the Pirelli Stadium.
Rhys Day and an own goal from Andy Corbett gave the Shots a half-time lead and John Grant's strike 2 minutes after the break meant it finished 3-1 to the away side.
Defeat for Nigel Clough's side allowed Weymouth - the only team who started the day in the top five who actually won - to leap above them into third spot.
Ben Smith's effort on 17 minutes was enough for Garry Hill's troops to win at Northwich Victoria.
Danny Cadamarteri was unable to grab a goal on his Grays Athletic debut as they were held to a goalless draw by fellow play-off hopefuls York City.
Stevenage Borough continued their push into the top half of the table with a resounding 3-0 success over high-flying Gravesend & Northfleet at Broadhall Way.
Jon Nutter's penalty gave Boro the lead before goals from Steve Morison and John Nurse in the space of 5 second half minutes secured the points.
Morecambe took advantage of Gravesend's defeat to move into the top six, Garry Thompson's goal giving them a 1-0 success over Stafford Rangers, while Stephen Rendell's penalty 8 minutes after the break gave Crawley Town a 1-0 home win over Tamworth, who now find themselves at the foot of the table on goal difference.
Southport boosted their hopes of moving away from the bottom with a 2-1 win against fellow strugglers Forest Green Rovers at The Lawn.
Lee Hoolickin and Sean Doherty got the goals for Paul Cook's side, who held on despite letting their opponents back in the game through an injury-time effort from Kevin Nicholson.
Kidderminster Harriers secured their first victory on home soil in four matches with a 3-2 success over Altrincham.
Johnny Harkness's goal on 65 settled an entertaining encounter after James Constable and Iyseden Christie had also found the net for the Harriers. Altrincham's goals came from Colin Little and Joe O'Neill.
Robert Atkinson scored twice for Halifax Town as they rallied after Elliot Benyon's early goal for St Albans City to win 4-1 at The Shay.
Substitutes Shane Smeltz and Chris Senior added late goals to give the final scoreline a flattering look in the hosts' favour.
Steve Smith's strike with 10 minutes to go was enough to give Cambridge United a 1-0 win away against Woking at Kingfield.
non league daily
Diamonds were rewarded for a bright start when Curtis Woodhouse headed home Tyrone Berry's cross to give them the lead after only 6 minutes.
Tony Godden's side were unlucky not to win by more than a single goal after a number of chances were spurned by Michael Rankine and Tom Shaw.
But the result was a setback for Oxford's promotion bid as they lost for only the second time this term.
However, Jim Smith's side remain at the summit after nearest rivals Dagenham & Redbridge also slipped to a surprise defeat on their travels.
An own goal from Shane Blackett, who will be joining Peterborough in January, in injury-time gave Exeter City a 3-2 win over the Daggers.
Up until then it appeared the points would be shared, with Dave Rainford levelling matters at two apiece after Adam Stansfield and Jamie Mackie had scored for The Grecians.
Paul Benson had given Dagenham an early lead but they left St James Park with nothing when Blackett put through his own net in the 91st minute.
Third-placed Burton Albion were another front-runner to fall, despite Lee Fowler putting them in front against Aldershot Town at the Pirelli Stadium.
Rhys Day and an own goal from Andy Corbett gave the Shots a half-time lead and John Grant's strike 2 minutes after the break meant it finished 3-1 to the away side.
Defeat for Nigel Clough's side allowed Weymouth - the only team who started the day in the top five who actually won - to leap above them into third spot.
Ben Smith's effort on 17 minutes was enough for Garry Hill's troops to win at Northwich Victoria.
Danny Cadamarteri was unable to grab a goal on his Grays Athletic debut as they were held to a goalless draw by fellow play-off hopefuls York City.
Stevenage Borough continued their push into the top half of the table with a resounding 3-0 success over high-flying Gravesend & Northfleet at Broadhall Way.
Jon Nutter's penalty gave Boro the lead before goals from Steve Morison and John Nurse in the space of 5 second half minutes secured the points.
Morecambe took advantage of Gravesend's defeat to move into the top six, Garry Thompson's goal giving them a 1-0 success over Stafford Rangers, while Stephen Rendell's penalty 8 minutes after the break gave Crawley Town a 1-0 home win over Tamworth, who now find themselves at the foot of the table on goal difference.
Southport boosted their hopes of moving away from the bottom with a 2-1 win against fellow strugglers Forest Green Rovers at The Lawn.
Lee Hoolickin and Sean Doherty got the goals for Paul Cook's side, who held on despite letting their opponents back in the game through an injury-time effort from Kevin Nicholson.
Kidderminster Harriers secured their first victory on home soil in four matches with a 3-2 success over Altrincham.
Johnny Harkness's goal on 65 settled an entertaining encounter after James Constable and Iyseden Christie had also found the net for the Harriers. Altrincham's goals came from Colin Little and Joe O'Neill.
Robert Atkinson scored twice for Halifax Town as they rallied after Elliot Benyon's early goal for St Albans City to win 4-1 at The Shay.
Substitutes Shane Smeltz and Chris Senior added late goals to give the final scoreline a flattering look in the hosts' favour.
Steve Smith's strike with 10 minutes to go was enough to give Cambridge United a 1-0 win away against Woking at Kingfield.
non league daily