The Youth Team entertained Wycombe Wanderers in the Puma Junior Alliance Cup on Saturday and lost out narrowly in what turned out to be a typical "game of two halves".

There were four changes made to the previous weekend's side as starting positions were given to players who had not played in recent matches.Rested were Sean Calcutt, Aynsley McDonald, Andrew Tidswell and John Wigglesworth and in came Lee Watts, James Freshwater, Alex Phillips and Lewis Hallford.

Wycombe had much the better of the first half and opened the scoring in the 5th minute after good pressure in central midfield saw possession regained and a great 25 yard strike left Joe Day with no chance.

Wycombe were soon further in front when the Rushden defence didn't clear their lines and an easy tap in from 5 yards made the score 2 - 0.

Wycome thought they had increased their lead in the 25th minute but the goal was ruled out for offside and this let off seemed to slowly lift the Rushden side and Lewis Hilliard went close immediately afterwards as his deflected shot was pushed away for a corner.

The deficit was reduced in the 36th minute when Sam Smith chased a through ball from Hilliard to round the keeper and finish from 18 yards.

As the half drew to a close, Jack Higgins got on the end of a Ben Nunn free kick but his header went over the bar.

Half Time: Rushden & Diamonds 1 Wycombe Wanderers 2

Like Wycombe in the first half, Rushden had the better of the second half and thought they had won a penalty in the 50th minute as James Freshwater was pulled down in the box but the referee turned down the appeals.

It was Wycombe, though, who scored next to increase their lead in the 69th minute but this was short lived as Rushden struck back two minutes later when a Lewis Hallford corner was directed back into the six yard box by Jack Higgins and Lewis Hilliard headed home from close range to make the score 3 - 2.

Rushden continued to press and a Hallford shot was blocked in the 73rd minute and Hillaird's follow up went just over the top.

Entering the final five minutes, Wigglesworth broke clear of the Wycombe defence but his shot from 15 yards was just wide, then Anthony Weston saw his shot saved and another Hallford corner was headed just over by Higgins.

Rushden's final chance came from a free kick on the edge of the Wycombe but Nunn was unable to get the ball up and over the wall to trouble the keeper.

Full Time: Rushden & Diamonds 2 Wycombe Wanderers 3

Rushden Team: Day, Nunn (C), Weston, Beecroft, Higgins, Phillips, Hallford, Freshwater, Hilliard, Smith, Watts (Wigglesworth 74).Subs Not Used: Knighton (GK), Cox, Shariff