The Youth Team moved up to second in the Puma Junior Alliance Southern Section league table with a comfortable 3 - 1 victory away to Barnet at the Gosling Sports Park in Welwyn Garden City on Saturday.

Rushden started brightly and took the lead in the 4^th minute when Nabil Shariff finished from close range.

The lead was then extended in the 20^th minute after James Freshwater's free kick from 25 yards rebounded off the wall and back to Lewis Hilliard who blasted an unstoppable low shot into the corner of the hosts net.

Just before half time, the lead was increased again from a corner when Sean Calcutt headed back a cross from what looked like behind the goal line and John Wigglesworth finished from three yards. Despite the protests from Barnet, the goal was allowed to stand.

Half Time: Barnet 0 Rushden and Diamonds 3

The second half proved to be a much closer affair as Rushden played against a stiff breeze looking into the sun.

Freshwater went close from a free kick and Hilliard struck another rasping drive just wide of the post before Barnet pulled a goal back in the 72^nd minute.

Shariff had a good chance to put the game totally beyond doubt in the 76th minute but he put his effort just wide of the far post as the Keeper advanced to close the angle down.

Despite this, Rushden saw out the final stages to record a third league victory ahead of the visits of Northampton Spencer (FA Youth Cup on Tuesday) and Peterborough United (Puma Junior Alliance League on Saturday) in the coming week.

Full Time: Barnet 1 Rushden & Diamonds 3

Rushden Team: Emery, Evans, McDonald, Cox, Calcutt, Higgins, Hallford, Hilliard, Wigglesworth (Phillips 84), Shariff (Sharpe 84), Freshwater (Easlea 88).

Subs Not Used: Kirby, Hayes