John Wigglesworth grabbed a second half equaliser for the Youth Team as they drew 1 - 1 with local rivals, Peterborough United, in the Puma Junior Alliance on Pitch 3 at Nene Park on Saturday.
Wigglesworth challenges
Rushden started brightly, Nabil Shariff headed just over in the early minutes and a deflected George Cox shot was well dealt with by Matt Bennett in the Peterborough goal.
It was the visitors who took the lead in the 40th minute, however, when Danny Andrew whipped in a left footed cross and the ball fell to Callum Reed who made no mistake from 15 yards.
Half Time: R&DFC Youth 0 - 1 Peterborough United Youth
Throughout the game, the wind played a big part but despite this both teams continued to look to play football.
With the assistance of the elements, Peterborough started the second half much brighter and could have extended their lead but Jack Higgins' goal line clearance denied them.
Rushden had a chance to draw level in the 68th minute but Bennett did well to deny both Shariff and John Wigglesworth.
The equaliser did come, however, in the 78th minute when Sean Calcutt headed Cox's pass into the path of Wigglesworth and he finished from close range.
Calcutt heads back..........
.......Wigglesworth rounds the keeper.........
.......And Scores
Alex Phillips came on in central midfield with Cox switching to right back to replace Matt Evans and Rushden had a great chance to steal a win in injury time when Cox's cross just skimmed off of James Freshwater's head as the midfielder made a desperate lunge for the ball when unmarked in the Peterborough six yard box.
The draw saw Rushden slip a place in the league to third behind Southend United and QPR.
Full Time: R&DFC Youth 1 - 1 Peterborough United Youth
Rushden Team:Day (Captain), Evans (Phillips 80), McDonald, Cox, Calcutt, Higgins, Hallford, Hilliard, Wigglesworth, Shariff (Easlea 87), Freshwater.
Subs Not Used: Broadbent (GK), Kirby, Sharpe.
