Rushden and Diamonds 2
Harriers 1

BATTLING Harriers could not find a leveller as they were shot down by Lee Tomlin's brace at Nene Park on Monday.

Tomlin pounced on an error by goalkeeper Dean Coleman in the first half, before a blockbusting effort after the break doubled Rushden's lead.

However, Harriers produced a spirited fight back, inspired by Robbie Matthews' 67th minute strike.

Despite late pressure they could not find a goal and slipped to their first league loss to Rushden and Diamonds since January 2003.

Caretaker manager John Finnigan kept faith with the same squad that beat Chester City 2-0 on Boxing Day.

One player notable by his absence was on-loan striker Ryan Charles, who was not included at all as his time at Harriers came to an end.

In contrast to the visitor's small squad, Diamonds manager Justin Edinburgh had a fresh group of players who had not played since their FA Trophy win over Bilericay on December 12.

He had an embarrassment of riches in terms of playing resources, illustrated by a vert strong substitutes bench which contained experienced strikers Jefferson Louis and Cliff Akurang, as well as midfielder Rob Wolleaston.

Both teams still had hopes of making it into the Blue Square Premier's promotion play-offs but were looking to grab some much needed points after a run of poor results.

Harriers boasted a fine record against their opponents from Northamptonshire, losing just one of the previous nine encounters against them.

Away keeper Dean Coleman was called into action inside the first minute when he comfortably dived down to save Lee Tomlin's shot from the edge of the box.

Hitman Aaron Farrell, still waiting for his first senior Harriers goal, raced down the left wing after good work by Brian Smikle and Robbie Matthews but keeper Dale Roberts was equal to his firm low effort in the fourth minute.

The hosts looked the sharper side and centreback Gavin Caines did well clear Diamonds striker Aaron O'Connor's low cross behind with Craig Farrell lurking.

But an error by Coleman gifted Tomlin the game's opening goal in the 16th minute. The shot-stopper had rushed out of his penalty area to collect a long ball but spilled it into the path of the home striker, who made no mistake by scoring. The keeper was also lucky to escape a booking after his handling of the ball out of his box.

Harriers were struggling to find a way through Diamonds' well-drilled defence and left-back Daniel Andrew saw a hopeful cross/shot fly over Roberts' bar.

Defender Gavin Caines had a setback when he was injured in a challenge with Tomlin but battled on despite looking less mobile.

Coleman made up for his earlier error when he got down well to parry Farrell's stinging low shot, after he had sped beyond a hesitant Caines.

The away side pressed without troubling Roberts in goal and looked vulnerable to Diamonds' speedy counter-attacks.

It took a fine challenge by Martin Riley to deny Diamonds dangerman Tomlin in one-such break.

Farrell should have hit the target in the 36th minute after Harriers' defence was carved open by Kurt Robinson, but the striker's mis-hit effort fell to Coleman.

The visiting shot-stopper continued to atone for his earlier sin when he did well to get behind midfielder Mark Byrne's fierce 20-yard effort.

Harriers had a half chance late in the first half when Andrew fired in a fire cross from the left wing, which just evaded a stretching Robbie Matthews.

Finnigan, who has not ruled himself out of the running for the manager's job on a permanent basis, took off the ineffective Aaron Farrell and replaced him with on-loan Kettering hitman Damian Spencer at the start of the second half.

His arrival signalled Harriers' attacking intent and Dean Bennett saw a low effort fly just wide in the 48th minute.

But the away side fell 2-0 down in the 56th minute when Tomlin gave Coleman no chance with a fine effort from the edge of the box which flew into the top right corner.

It could have been worse in the 61st minute when the lively O'Connor cut inside Andrew but fired over the bar.

But Matthews grabbed a lifeline for Harriers in the 67th minute. Riley made a rare foray forward and slipped the ball to the hitman, who swivelled smartly and fired in a low effort that squeezed between a diving Roberts and the post.

Infused with renewed belief, Harriers pushed for a leveller and it took a sliding clearance by Paul Terry to clear Andrews' shot in the 78th minute.

Harriers caused chaos in Rushden's box in the 80th minute, when Smikle broke free in the box and squared the ball to Matthews. The towering hitman could not take advantage but found Bennett on the edge of the box and the midfielder saw a firm shot saved by Roberts at the second attempt.

But for all of Harriers' pressure they could not find a way through and ended a turbulent 2009 with a defeat.

Harriers: Coleman 6; Courtney 7; Riley 7; Caines 7; Andrew 7; Smikle 6; Bennett 7; McPhee 8; Knights 6; Farrell 5 (Spencer, 46); Matthews 7.

Unused substitutes: Singh; Dolman; Baker; Hayward.

Rushden: Roberts; Osano; Robinson; Porter (Wolleaston, 55); Stuart; Downer; O'Connor; Farrell; Tomlin (Louis, 83); Byrne; Terry.

Unused substitutes: Day; McNamara; Akurang.

Referee: James Adcock (Nottinghamshire). Attendance: 1,425 (205)