Alvechurch 1-2 AFC Rushden and Diamonds

AFC Rushden and Diamonds struck five minutes from the end to secure all three points against Alvechurch.

Both sides started off quickly with Jordan Macleod curling wide from range for the visitors and Stanley Asomugha having a shot deflected over for Alvechurch.

After seven minutes Darren Byfield’s side took the lead. Debutant Kieran Miller got on the end of a Linden Dovey cross to open the scoring. Rushden had a golden chance to equalise three minutes later when they were awarded a penalty; but Nathan Hicks spot kick hit the post.

Nabil Shariff then hit the post; while Nathaniel Gosnal-Taylor and Shariff again forced Matthew Sargeant into smart saves. Rushden keeper Ben Heath then spilled a Jordan Goddard free-kick, with Kyle Perry somehow firing the re-bound over the bar.

This miss proved crucial as Rushden turned it around in the second half. Sargeant was on hand to make a stunning save to deny MacLeod and the Rushden forward then fired over the bar.

The visitors then equalised when a goal mouth scramble ended with Shariff poking home the equaliser. This boosted them and with little time remaining substitute Tom Lorraine flicked home following a low cross. Miller and Perry fires over for Alvechurch; but they were unable to find an equaliser.

Alvechurch travel to high flying Banbury next; looking for a first win in four.