Rushden & Diamonds 2 Notts. County 1

Last updated : 16 March 2004 By Footymad Previewer

A first career brace from defender Andy Edwards gave Rushden's acting manager Barry Hunter his first points since taking charge.

Onandi Lowe gave immediate notice of Diamonds intent with a trademark 30-yard free-kick, which was only just inches over the bar.

After nine minutes Rodney Jack cut menacingly into the penalty area from the left only to see Pegguy Arphexad pull off a superb one-handed diving save.

A minute later Diamonds were deservedly in front. David Bell's corner was only half-cleared to Gary Mills and his attempted shot fell nicely to Edwards, who cleverly found the net from close range.

The visitors looked quick and keen on the break without looking dangerous in front of goal while the home side were knocking the ball around with pace and confidence.

It was no real surprise when Diamonds scored a second after 36 minutes. Bell's corner from the right was headed down by Leo Roget and Edwards flicked the ball over Arphexad fro his third goal for the season.

Seven ahead of the interval Edwards resumed his role as defender when he made a timely interception to deny Paul Heffernan after Billy Turley had spilled Simon Baldry's long-range effort.

County took the game to Diamonds from the first seconds of the second half and reduced the arrears in the 62nd minute. Substitute Tony Scully was allowed too much room in the middle of the Diamonds half and unleashed an accurate left-foot shot from 20 yards that flew past the diving Turley.

Scully almost scored a carbon copy goal on 81 minutes when he beat Mills, but found Turley equal to the challenge.

In the dying seconds Roget made a wonderful tackle to deny Steve Scoffham while right at the death Ritchie Hanlon cleared Nick Fenton's short-range effort off the line.