The Youth Team progressed to the 3^rd Qualifying Round of the E-on Sponsored FA Youth Cup following a nail biting night at the A-Line Arena against Kettering Town's Youth Team which saw Diamonds win 5 - 3 on penalties after the tie had finished 2 - 2 after extra time.

With Skipper Andrew Tidswell failing a late fitness test and Aynsley McDonald still resting a hip injury, Rushden set up with the same line up that had been so impressive in beating Exeter 4 - 1 at the weekend.

Kettering had the better of the early exchanges and deservedly took the lead when the impressive Joe Power found space on the left flank to find Nathaniel White unmarked in the box and his header gave Joe Day no chance.

Kettering then had strong claims for a penalty turned down by the referee and the chance to extend the lead was denied them.

Rushden slowly began to find their feet and came back into the game as the half progressed and began to look dangerous from set plays with testing deliveries from Ben Nunn and Lee Watts asking questions of the Kettering defence.

As the half entered the final ten minutes, it was from a Nunn corner that produced the equaliser with Jack Higgins finding space around the back to volley home from close range past ex-Diamonds Keeper Stuart Dorrill.

Half Time: Kettering Town 1 Rushden & Diamonds 1

Rushden continued their good work as the second half unfolded and extended the lead in the 58^th minute, again from a Ben Nunn corner which was met perfectly by Sam Smith whose header from six yards flew into the net.

Rushden remained marginally on top and almost increased the lead through John Wigglesworth but his effort came back off of the bar and to safety.

Anthony Weston replaced hamstring victim Lee Watts as the game entered the final quarter and Rushden paid the price for not putting the game beyond reach when Power found space in the box to equalise with five minutes of normal time remaining.

Nabil Shariff replaced John Wigglesworth up top but it was Kettering, buoyed on by the equaliser, who looked the most likely to snatch a winner before the end of normal time - and an agonising seven minutes of injury time - but the game remained level and extra time was required.

Full Time: Kettering Town 2 Rushden & Diamonds 2

Extra time saw both sides enjoying short periods of pressure but a mixture of tiredness and some hard work by both defences that meant the tie went into the dreaded penalty shoot out.

Rushden won the toss, elected to go first and Jake Beecroft made no mistake with his penalty. Kettering scored their first penalty and Benn Nunn kept the pressure up by scoring his. Joe Day then took his chance to be a hero by saving the next Kettering penalty to put Diamonds firmly on top. Sam Smith and Jack Higgins both put away excellent efforts as did the two Kettering takers leaving Lewis Hilliard to step up knowing that his spot kick would win the tie for his side. He made no mistake, taking Rushden through to meet the winners of Stotfold and Huntingdon Town in the final qualifying round before the Football League clubs join the fray.

Youth Team Manager, Paul Driver, had sympathy for the Kettering Side after the game saying "It was one of those games that no-one deserved to lose and for Kettering to go out in that manner is cruel for them and Adam Sinclair who has done some great work with their lads in his short time with them". Driver was pleased with his sides work rate and overall effort on the night and made particular mention to the younger players in the team adding that "seven of the start line up are young enough to play in next season's competition and they were supported well by the "senior" boys, Beecroft, Nunn, Smith and Day".

Penalty Shootout: Kettering Town 3 Rushden & Diamonds 5

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

Subs Not Used. Knighton (GK), Cox, Hallford.

Standby Player. Adam Sharpe