Despite a much improved performance against high flying Brighton and Hove Albion, the Youth Team went down 2 - 0 on Pitch 3 at Nene Park on Saturday.
With Aynsley McDonald away in Turkey, changes were needed from the team that played Orient so Connor Hayes dropped back to Centre Back in his place, Matt Evans moved into midfield and Under 16 Morgan Phillips dropped into Right Back.
Kicking against the wind in the first half, Rushden made a sound start in an even game.Brighton had the first chance to take the lead when their striker was fouled by Chris Kirby in the box but Michael Emery pulled off a great save to his left to deny the visitors.Emery was again called into action soon afterwards but tipped a dangerous effort over the bar.
Nabil Sharif then had an excellent chance to open the scoring but hit his shot from six yards at the Keeper.
Half Time: Rushden & Diamonds 0 Brighton & Hove Albion 0
With the advantage of the wind, Rushden started the second half well and a neat passing move ended with a cross which Shariff headed just wide.
It was the visitors who took the lead in the 55th minute though following a free kick about 30 yards from goal. Poor defending from the three man wall allowed a practised set piece from Brighton to finish with a soft header from 10 yards.
More trouble was to follow when Emery was sent off for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity in the 63rd minute so Lewis Hallford took over in goal for the remainder of the game.
Substitute Callum Earls - who had just replaced Kirby - then had an early chance to square things up when confusion in the Brighton defence left him clear though on goal but his attempt to slide the ball under the Keeper was unsuccessful.
Hallford continued to be untroubled in the goal as Rushden worked hard to stop the one man deficit become a problem.As the team pushed forward in the closing minutes to get an equaliser, however, a quick break left the home side short in numbers at the back and Brighton increased their lead.
Full Time: Rushden & Diamonds 0 Brighton & Hove Albion 2
Afterwards, Paul Driver gave us his thoughts on the game. "This was a much better all round performance than the previous week against Orient but, despite the sending off affecting the game, we can't be saying that we were unlucky.We probably hadthe two best chances in open play and didn't take them and were sloppy at the set piece that gave them the lead at a time when I felt we were showing signs of getting on top.However, Brighton are a decent side - no-one beats QPR 5 - 0 like they did a fortnight ago without being useful - and the boys performed well against them which is encouraging".
Rushden Team: Emery ©, Morgan Phillips, Kirby (Earls), Evans, Gillingwater, Hayes, Hallford, Freshwater, Sharpe, Shariff (Read), Easlea.
Sub Note Used. Pendered
Paul added "Could I take this opportunity to say a big thank you to our Fans who continue to offer excellent support to our Youth System. I'd like to make particular mention to all of those who are coming together to pledge money to sponsor two of the current first year scholars through to the end of next season.We are all fighting hard to raise the funds needed to keep the system going through next season and it is this type of backing that is essential to us. Also, the number of people travelling up to Port Vale for the Cup Final is now over 50 which I know will be a great boost for the lads as we prepare for the game".
