Rushden & Diamonds started their 2007-08 campaign at Nene Park with the disappointment of conceding a late equaliser to Nottingham Forest.
Lee Tomlin had given the Diamonds the lead early in the second half with a deflected shot - full credit for his first half performance, and only his early substitution deprived him of the Man-of-the-Match award.
On a pleasant evening the Diamonds faced a Forest side with a mixture of youth and experience, lining up with a 3-5-2 formation, with Curtis Osano making his first appearance for the club at right wing-back, with triallist Dean Howell appearing at left wing back.
Lee Tomlin partnered Michael Rankine up front, with Shaw, Challinor and Foster occupying the central midfield berths.
Forest started brightly, with their pace up front threatening to test Hope, Hatswell and Gulliver as both Emile Sinclair and Scott Dobie made dangerous runs, and Dobie headed over from a dangerous cross from the right. Kris Commons was involved in much of the play for Nottingham in the early stages, with Neil Lennon having a quiet game.
Lee Tomlin was relishing the chance up front, and his overhead kick that flew just over the bar was one of the early highlights, and he also set up Jon Challinor for a free shot that flew just wide of goal. He also showed the workrate to force a corner on 10 minutes, which was met by a solid header from Wayne Hatswell forcing a good save from Smith. The two wing-backs for Rushden were both looking lively, with Osano combining well with the two strikers.
Michael Rankine was put clean through on 17 minutes, but Smith successfully challenged him, and forced a goal-kick. Shortly afterwards a Forest break dwon the right saw Wayne Hatswell give the ball back to Forest on the left corner of the box, and the resultant cross looked destined for Sinclair, unmarked on the far post, until Bastock leapt and claimed. A similar raid on the left saw Phil Gulliver beaten by Scott Dobie, who fed the lively Commons, but his shot was saved by Bastock low to his left.
Another dangerous Diamonds attack saw the ball spin off a Forest defence to Lee Tomlin who spin and shot just over the bar, and the striker then made a great run down the right flank, cut inside and hit a decent show saved by Smith down to his right. Tomlin then turned provider as he ran at the defence and then unselfishly back-flicked the ball to Rankine whose shot was well saved by Smith down to his right.
The half ended goalless, but the teams left the pitch to warm applause from the 1200 fans.
Half-time: Rushden & Diamonds 0 Nottingham Forest 0
The second half saw the Diamonds start the more brightly, and were quickly able to test goalkeeper Dale Roberts who had been brought on after half-time. Within a minute Lee Tomlin had put Diamonds ahead after he was found in space on the right, brought the ball inside to the edge of the box on his left foot, and hit a shot that was deflected past Roberts.
As on Saturday, the match then lost shape as a series of substitutions broke up the action, but, as on Saturday, the new players continued to shine, with James Krause taking a creative role in left midfield. It was a run of his, taking on three Forest defenders near the corner flag, and getting in a cross where Michael Rankine got in front of his man, and hit a left foot shot just over the bar, that was the highlight of the second half. Diamonds switched back to a 4-4-2 formation, with Tom Bonner and Paul Watson working alongside Hatswell and Gulliver, with Curtis Osano moving into midfield.
Just as the match seemed to be settled, substitute Aaron Davies was fed the ball on the edge of the box, and his shot seemed to take Bastock by surprise and find the corner of the net for a 90th minute equaliser.
On a pleasant evening it was good to see football back at Nene Park, and although the late equaliser was disappointing there was plenty to impress manager Hill.
Full-time: Rushden & Diamonds 1 Nottingham Forest 1
Teams:
Rushden & Diamonds (White): Paul Bastock, Curtis Osano, Dean Howell (James Krause 58), Phil Gulliver, Chris Hope (Paul Watson 62), Wayne Hatswell, Tom Shaw (Tom Bonner 66), Martin Foster, Jon Challinor (Lawrence Lambley 62), Lee Tomlin (Simeon Jackson 48), Michael Rankine
Subs not used: Martyn Margarson
Nottingham Forest (Red): Paul Smith, James Perch, Luke Chambers, Kelvin Wilson, Neil Lennon, Kris Commons, Felix Bastians, Scott Dobie, Emile Sinclair, Julian Bennett, Lewis McGugan
Subs Used :Aaron Davies (59), Wes Morgan (59), Alan Power (70), Matt Thornhill (80), Ben Fairclough (80), David Brown (80)
Goals: Lee Tomlin (46), Aaron Davies (90)
Referee: Darryl Deadman
Attendance: 1210 (Away 278).
Diamonds Man of the Match sponsored by Haart: Wayne Hatswell
