The Youth Team made the long journey to Kent on Saturday to play Gillingham and suffered a 2 - 0 defeat against a impressive home side.

Sean Calcutt was not fit enough to start the game and was replaced by Connor Hayes from the Under 16s at Centre Back but Sam Smith was passed fit and took his place up front in the start line up alongside triallist, Drew Mitton with John Wigglesworth returning from his suspension to take his place on the bench.

There were few goal scoring chances in the first period but those that came were mainly for the hosts who were strong down each flank, particularly on the left with Rory Hill causing lots of problems to Ben Nunn and James Freshwater.Hill had a penalty shout turned down by the referee and Joe Day made two good saves to thwart the winger who also saw a cross/shot evade two of his team mates in the six yard box.

Gillingham took the lead on stoppage time when Rushden failed to clear a corner and a shot from Cnetral Defender, Tom Wynter took a wicked deflection to loop over Day and into the net.

Half Time: Gillingham 1 Rushden & Diamonds 0

There was a definite improvement by Rushden in the second half with more composure in possession and some decent passing moves - the best of which created a superb chance for Wigglesworth (who had replaced Smith at half time) but he shot over from 15 yards with only the Keeper to beat.

Lewis Hilliard also had a chance but his effort was well blocked by Wynter at the heart of the Gills defence.

Gilingham extended their lead as the game entered the last ten minutes when a long ball forward by Keeper, Chris Kiely, cleared the Rushden defence and found Adam Birchell in space and he lobbed the stranded Day to wrap up the contest.

Full Time: Gillingham 2 Rushden & Diamonds 0

Rushden Team: Day (Captain), Nunn, McDonald, Beecroft, Hayes, Higgins, Freshwater, Smith (Wigglesworth 45), Mitton, Hilliard, Weston (Tidswell 67).

Subs Not Used: Buss (GK), Phillips, Calcutt