No one said ' it would be easy !'

AFC Rushden & Diamonds hit a bump in the road in their push for promotion as fellow high-flyers Hayes & Yeading United claimed a 1-0 success at Hayden Road. It proved to be one of those nights for Diamonds.

There could be no arguments in the first half. Hayes looked the better team as they passed the ball well and attacked with pace before scoring what proved to be the winner right on the stroke of half-time.

But Diamonds reacted well after the break and, in the end, they could count themselves unlucky as they did everything but score what would have been a well-deserved equaliser. In the end, it was not to be.

There were some despondent faces around the ground after the final whistle had sounded. Losses, thankfully, have been few and far between for Diamonds in the Evo-Stik League South East this season and when they do come along, they are always that bit harder to take.

Read more at: Jon Dunham - Northants Telegraph