Blackpool 1 Rushden & Diamonds 1 (Diamonds win 4-2 on penalties)

The Diamonds trip to Devon to play in the Errea South West Challenge started on a high note, as an excellent battling team performance earned them a 1-1 draw against Championship team Blackpool. A goal from Aaron O'Connor had given the Diamonds the lead, before Ben Burgess equalised, but the Diamonds converted all four of their penalties, and saw Ben Burgess miss, and Dale Roberts save Danny Mitchley's kick, allowing Sam Smith to net the winning kick.

The Diamonds work rate and speed of closing down their opponents gave them the edge throughout the game, and the victory was well deserved.

Diamonds manager Justin Edinburgh named a strong starting line-up, although Rob Wolleaston and Matt Pattison were absent due to injury. Blackpool manager Ian Holloway was rotating his squad, but the majority who started the game had played some part in their recent victory over BarnstapleTown.

The half started with the Diamonds looking far the most committed side, with some excellent closing down of the opponents, close interchanges of passes, and good movement off the ball. Nick McNamara was controlling the midfield, assisted by Max Porter, and he created the Diamonds first chance of the game which Lee Tomlin knocked narrowly wide. Aaron O'Connor then came close as he latched onto a mistake by Ian Evatt, and his chip over Matthew Gilks was narrowly wide.

Although the Diamonds were dominating possession, and winning the majority of the 50-50 challenges, looking faster to the ball by playing a higher tempo game, Blackpool did have a couple of dangerous attacks that saw Dale Roberts save well from Billy Clarke, and Jamie Stuart do well to divert a Nardiello cross over his own bar. The Tangerines had to make a couple of early substitutions due to injury, with their substitutes still to take their places on the bench.

Nick McNamara was getting forwards well for the Diamonds, and saw a dipping shot from the edge of the box go narrowly over the bar after James Reid and Lee Tomlin had combined to set up his chance. Reid and Tomlin were combining well, with both willing to run at their markers, and Tomlin was getting in his fair share of challenges. Curtis Osano was also able to get forwards down the right, with the movement of Neil Cousins helping to open gaps in the Tangerine's defence.

Half-Time : Blackpool 0 Rushden & Diamonds 0

There was an expectation that Ian Holloway would have strong words with his team following their first half performance, and he sent out a significantly changed team in the second half, but it was the Diamonds who carried on where they left off, with strong running from Reid and Osano forcing a succession of corners.

Five minutes into the half the Diamonds made their first change, with Michael Corcoran replacing Simon Downer in defence - both Downer and Stuart impressing with their performance and their understanding.

Shortly afterwards the Diamonds took the lead their play deserved, as James Reid was again able to find space, and threaded an excellent pass through the static Championship side's defence, and Aaron O'Connor coolly ran onto, outpacing his marker and slotted home past Rachubka.

Jake Beecroft and Craig Farrell then joined the action, with Sam Smith replacing O'Connor shortly afterwards, but Blackpool were able to equalise when Brett Ormerod was allowed to get in a cross from the right that was knocked by back by Billy Clarke to Ben Burgess who had an easy task to score.

If there was any thoughts that this might inspire the Championship side to take control of the game, they were quickly dispelled when the Diamonds could have retaken the lead, as Sam Smith went on a forceful run down the left that was only stopped by his shirt being pulled. Lee Tomlin took the free kick, and Nick McNamara saw his shot well saved by Rachubka before Craig Farrell hit the rebound against the angle of post and bar.

That was to be McNamara's last action of the night, as his excellent performance was halted when he picked up a nasty-looking knock to the head, although he was able to get to his feet and walk shakily off the pitch after extensive treatment.

Dale Roberts was called upon to make a low save from a Tangerine's free kick, but the competitive nature of the game was shown when Michael Corcoran picked up a yellow card for a challenge on Ormerod.

Final Score : Blackpool 1 R&DFC 1

The game went straight to a penalty shoot out, with the competition rules requiring that the two goalkeepers are named amongst the five penalty takers from either side.

Ben Burgess stepped up to take the first spot kick for Blackpool, but put his shot wide of the left hand post. Dale Roberts then converted a confident penalty himself, and after Craig Farrell has also netted, Roberts saved Danny Mitchley's kick low to his left. With Michael Corcoran also netting, it was down to Sam Smith to score the decisive Diamonds fourth penalty to give them a 4-2 penalty victory.

Result : R&DFC win 4-2 on penalties

The Diamonds now need a victory over Barnstaple to progress to the semi-final of the competition, with the game being played at Ilfracombe on Friday evening. Should they progress they will play either YeovilTown or Grimsby Town in the semi-final.

Justin Edinburgh was pleased with the performance against high-ranking opponents, and hopes Rob Wolleaston will be fit for the next game.

Diamonds Line-up : GK Dale Roberts, RB Curtis Osano, LB Kurt Robinson, CB Jamie Stuart, CB Simon Downer, RM Neil Cousins, CM Max Porter, CM Nick McNamara, LM James Reid, S Aaron O'Connor, S Lee Tomlin.

Subs : Michael Corcoran for Simon Downer (46), Jake Beecroft for Max Porter (51), Craig Farrell for James Reid (52), Sam Smith for Aaron O'Connor (56), Gavin Hoyte for Nick McNamara (67)

Goals : Aaron O'Connor (50), Ben Burgess (57)

Yellow Card : Michael Corcoran (57)

Diamonds Man of The Match : Curtis Osano