The Youth Team got back to winning ways at Nene Park on Saturday with an excellent performance in a 4 - 1 victory against Exeter City in the Puma Junior Alliance Cup.

Diamonds started well and took the lead in the 12 minute when Lee Watts broke from the back and found John Wigglesworth who set up Sam Smith for a neat finish from 15 yards.

More pressure led to a Watts corner in the 18th minute which set up a chance for Jake Beecroft but his effort went marginally wide.

Exeter drew level a minute later when a cross from the right found their striker unmarked to head home from 8 yards.

After an even period of play, it was Rushden who scored next to regain the lead in the 36th minute.The Exeter Keeper was unable to hold onto Lewis Hilliard's left foot strike and Smith was on hand to head home from close range.

As Half Time approached, Beecroft nearly increased the lead with a 25 yard half volley which was well tipped away by the visiting keeper.

Half Time: Rushden & Diamonds 2 Exeter City 1

Rushden started the second half strongly and soon extended their lead in the 49th minute when Hilliard linked up with Ben Nunn on the right hand side and his cross was blasted in from 10 yards by Wigglesworth.

Smith thought he had completed his hat trick in the 53rd minute when he ran on to a Wigglesworth through ball to finish neatly in the corner but the linesman adjudged him to be offside.

It was not long before the fourth goal came, however, when a 57th minute corner from Nunn was set up by Wigglesworth to Sean Calcutt and his shot was flicked into the net by Hilliard.

A 58th minute shot from James Freshwater went just over from 20 yards and Smith missed a great chance to get his hat trick when he blasted over from 6 yards in the 61st minute.

As the game entered the last quarter, the changes were rung with Anthony Weston replacing Lee Watts and 14 year old Aaron King coming on up front for his Youth Team debut in place of Wigglesworth.Adam Sharpe then replaced the injured Freshwater with five minutes remaining.

Full Time: Rushden & Diamonds 4 Exeter City 1

Rushden Team:Day, Nunn (Captain), Phillips, Beecroft, Higgins, Calcutt, Freshwater (Sharpe 86), Smith, Wigglesworth (King 72), Hilliard, Watts (Weston 72)

Subs Not Used: Knighton (GK), Cox