For this top pf the tale clash, Kieron Schmidt moved to the Number 10 position and Jamie Rudd replaced Lynton Goss on the wing as the younger Goss brother dropped down to the bench.

After the heavy rain on on Friday evening it was a monumental task to get the game on, but a small loyal band of volunteers worked on Friday night and all Saturday morning to make sure that the pitch, albeit heavy, was playable for the visit of the League leaders.

It was the Diamonds that start the brighter of the two sides as FC seemed to stand off and be a little intimidated by their opponents. That said Diamonds didn't create any clear opportunities and FC did have their moments. A pin point cross ball pass from Davis Haule was picked up by Jamie Rudd but his first time cross was cut out by a Diamond defender. Ben Stevens headed wide from a James Dobson corner soon after, but it was the away side who were dominating possession. The impressive Shawn Richards latched onto a through ball rounded James Weatherill as he came out to meet the striker, this forced Richards wide and as he cut back in and crossed, Weatherill had managed to recover and tip the ball away from the oncoming Diamonds attackers. Weatherill was involved again when be brilliantly tipped a Delroy Gordon header, from a corner, round the post.

The Diamonds did though take the lead on 23 minutes, a corner wasn't cleared, fell to Andy Hall and his shot from the edge of the box appeared at first glance to be tipped around the post by The FC Keeper but the immediate reaction of the away side soon indicated to everyone that the ball had in fact gone through a hole in the net. After some deliberation between the officials a goal was awarded. The home side nearly got straight back into the game when a James Dobson corner was cleared and fell straight to Kieron Schmidt but his first time shot went narrowly wide. Jamie Rudd then had a shot tipped past the post by Matt Finlay as FC pressed for the equaliser.

But it was the away side who extended their lead on 35 minutes when Jon Stevenson picked the ball up on the edge of the box and fired past the right hand of Weatherill. The home fans were starting to wonder if FCs missed chances and Diamonds clinical finishing were going to see a heavy defeat for their side but soon after Stevenson's goal Jamie Rudd restored their faith with a goal of stunning quality and technique. The ball fell to Rudd 25 yards out after a clearance and he smashed it into the top corner to reduce the arrears.

Half Time Aylesbury FC 1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 2

The second half was going to be much quieter as both teams were to tire in the heavy conditions. Diamonds restored their two goal lead on 51 minutes when James Dobson failed to clear the ball and it fell Shawn Richards 8 yards out and he fired home with his left foot.

Aylesbury were now dominating possession as the away side sat deeper and deeper but without ever having the ability to create a clear opportunity. Rudd did shoot wide from the outside of the box, James Weatherill made another great stop, taking the ball from Shawn Richards inside the box. Then on 89 minute the Aylesbury pressure paid off, A Rushden defender was robbed off the ball just outside the box by Lynton Goss who crossed for Brian Haule to prod home. Diamonds nerves were settled though when into injury time a poor back pass by Jeanmal Prosper was intercepted by substitute Claudie Hoban who scored easilyy to restore the two goal advantage.

Then their was a moment of madness by Ben Stevens. Having just been booked Stevens took it upon himself to charge into keeper Finlay in the box when the keeper had the ball in his hands, Stevens was rightly dismissed, there was then the inevitable melee of players, but the whistle was blown shortly afterwards to end the game