Rushden & Diamonds Summary 2003/04

 

 

2003 / 2004        Nationwide League Divison Two

 

Sat  9.8    Away   Luton Town                    Lost 1-3      Lowe(37)                              6878

                                Turley, Bignot, Underwood, Edwards, Hunter, Darby,

                                Gray, Burgess, Bell, Hall, Lowe.

                                Subs used: Jack for Darby(68), Mills for Gray(68).

                                Luton goal 50, 59, 90.

 

Sat 16.8    Home  Plymouth Argyle               Won  2-1    Lowe(54), Jack(56)                  4045

                                Turley, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Edwards, Hunter,

                                Jack, Burgess, Bell, Hall, Lowe.

                                Subs used: Darby for Jack(80).

                                Plymouth goal 77.

 

Sat 23.8    Away   Tranmere Rovers               Won  2-1    Jack(6), Bell(33)                     7374

                                Turley, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Edwards, Hunter,

                                Jack, Darby, Burgess, Bell, Hall.

                                Subs used: Nil.

                                Tranmere goal 69.

 

Mon 25.8   Home  Queens Park Rangers          Drew 3-3     Darby(16), Hall(82), Lowe(90)       5544

                                Turley, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Edwards, Hunter,

                                Jack, Darby, Burgess, Bell, Hall.

                                Subs used: Gray for Mills(57), Lowe for Darby(57).

                                QPR goals 37, 45, 53.

 

Sat 30.8    Away   Oldham Athletic               Lost 2-3      Lowe(38), Bignot(83)                 5469

                                Turley, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Edwards, Hunter,

                                Jack, Burgess, Bell, Hall, Lowe.

                                Subs used: Dempster for Mills(13), Sambrook for Hall(45), Gray for Burgess(78).

                                Oldham goals 11p, 75, 90.

 

Sat  6.9    Home  Wycombe Wanderers          Won  2-0    Jack(35), Lowe(85)                  4192

                                Turley, Bignot, Underwood, Edwards, Hunter, Jack,

                                Burgess, Gray, Bell, Hall, Lowe.

                                Subs used: Sambrook for Bignot(15), Darby for Jack(58), Mills for Bell(73).

 

Sat 13.9    Home  Brentford                      Lost 0-1      –                                      4396

                                Turley, Bignot, Underwood, Hunter, Jack, Burgess,

                                Gray, Dempster, Bell, Hall, Lowe.

                                Subs used: Darby for Burgess(46).

                                Brentford goal 19.

 

Tue 16.9    Away   Notts County                  Won  3-1    Lowe(29), Gray(49p), Darby(81)     4250

                                Turley, Bignot, Underwood, Edwards, Hunter, Jack,

                                Darby, Gray, Bell, Hall, Lowe.

                                Subs used: Nil.

                                Notts Co goal 27.

 

Sat 20.9    Away   AFC Bournemouth              Lost 1-2      Lowe(2)                               6464

                                Turley, Bignot, Underwood, Edwards, Hunter, Jack,

                                Darby, Gray, Bell, Hall, Lowe.

                                Subs used: Mills for Lowe(73), Story for Darby(74).

                                Bournemouth goals: 69, 71.

 

Sat 27.9    Home  Stockport County              Drew 2-2     Gray(12), Edwards(86)               4049

                                Turley, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Edwards, Hunter,

                                Jack, Darby, Gray, Bell, Hall.

                                Subs used: Kitson for Darby(69), Dempster for Hunter(73), Talbot for Mills(87).

                                Stockport goals 6, 54.

 

 

Tue 30.9    Home  Brighton & HA                 Lost 1-3      Gray(50p)                             4634

                                Turley, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Edwards, Hunter,

                                Jack, Darby, Gray, Bell, Hall.

                                Subs used: Kitson for Bell(64), Sambrook for Mills(86), Talbot for Jack(86).

                                Brighton goals 42, 53, 77.

 

Sat  4.10   Away   Barnsley                        Lost 0-2      –                                      8461

                                Turley, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Edwards, Hunter,

                                Darby, Gray, Talbot, Kitson, Hall.

                                Subs used: Bell for Talbot(45), Hanlon for Mills(74), Story for Kitson(75).

                                Barnsley goals 32, 57.

 

Sat 11.10   Home  Chesterfield                   Won  2-1    Hunter(12), Jack(15)                3817

                                Turley, Bignot, Underwood, Edwards, Hunter, Jack,

                                Darby, Burgess, Gray, Bell, Hall.

                                Subs used: Mills for Hall(71).

                                Chesterfield goal 14.

 

Sat 18.10   Away   Sheffield Wednesday         Drew 0-0     –                                      22599

                                Turley, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Edwards, Hunter,

                                Jack, Burgess, Gray, Bell, Kitson.

                                Subs used: Nil.

 

Tue 21.10  Away   Blackpool                       Won  3-2    Burgess(45), Jack(46), Kitson(55)   5234

                                Turley, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Edwards, Hunter,

                                Jack, Burgess, Gray, Bell, Kitson.

                                Subs used: Hall for Mills(45), Sambrook for Kitson(87).

                                Blackpool goals 4, 62.

 

Sat 25.10   Home  Wrexham                      Lost 2-3      Kitson(53/66)                         4117

                                Evans, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Edwards, Hunter,

                                Jack, Burgess, Gray, Bell, Kitson.

                                Subs used: Dempster for Mills(45), Hall for Gray(45).

                                Wrexham goals 10, 35, 56.

 

Sat  1.11   Home  Grimsby Town                  Won  3-1    Lowe(68/74), Hanlon(90)             4185

                                Evans, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Edwards, Hunter,

                                Jack, Burgess, Gray, Hall, Lowe.

                                Subs used: Kitson for Gray(61), Hanlon for Lowe(79).

                                Grimsby goal 40.

 

Sat 15.11   Away   Hartlepool Utd                 Lost 1-2      Jack(57)                              4944

                                Ashdown, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Hunter, Hanlon,

                                Jack, Benjamin, Gray, Dempster, Hall.

                                Subs used: Burgess for Hanlon(52)

                                Hartlepool goals 38p, 74.

 

Sat 22.11   Home  Colchester Utd                Won  4-0    Lowe(4), Gray(39), Burgess(58/81)  4149

                                Ashdown, Bignot, Underwood, Edwards, Hanlon, Jack,

                                Benjamin, Burgess, Gray, Dempster, Lowe.

                                Subs used: Manangu for Lowe(83), Okounghae for Edwards(88).

 

Sat 29.11   Away   Port Vale                       Drew 1-1     Benjamin(31)                          4586

                                Ashdown, Bignot, Underwood, Hunter, Hanlon, Jack,

                                Benjamin, Burgess, Gray, Dempster, Lowe.

                                Subs used: Mills for Hanlon(74), Kitson for Benjamin(82).

                                Port Vale goal 10.

 

Sat 13.12 Home    Bristol City                    Drew 1-1     Talbot(4)                             4340

                                Ashdown, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Hunter, Jack,

                                Benjamin, Burgess, Dempster, Talbot, Lowe.

                                Subs used: Bell for Talbot(63), Kitson for Benjamin(74).

                                Bristol goal 71.

 

 

Sat 20.12 Away    Peterborough Utd              Lost 1-3      Kitson(49)                            6176

                                Ashdown, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Hunter, Jack,

                                Burgess, Dempster, Talbot, Kitson, Lowe.

                                Subs used: Sambrook for Underwood(70), Bell for Talbot(79), Hall for Kitson(86).

                                Peterborough goals 77, 83p, 86.

 

Fri 26.12   Home  Swindon Town                  Won  2-0    Lowe(23/61)                          4845

                                Ashdown, Bignot, Hunter, Jack, Burgess, Dempster,

                                Sambrook, Bell, Kitson, Hall, Lowe.

                                Subs used: Hanlon for Lowe(72).

 

Sun 28.12  Away   Wycombe Wanderers          Won  2-0    Jack(4/35)                           5421

                                Ashdown, Bignot, Hunter, Hanlon, Jack, Benjamin,

                                Burgess, Dempster, Sambrook, Kitson, Hall.

                                Subs used: Bell for Burgess(60), Talbot for Hall(72),

 

Sat  3.1    Away   Queens Park Rangers          Lost 0-1      –                                      14141

                                Ashdown, Bignot, Hunter, Hanlon, Jack, Burgess,

                                Dempster, Sambrook, Kitson, Hall, Lowe.

                                Subs used: Bell for Hall(60), Benjamin for Kitson(68).

                                QPR goal 24.

 

Sat 10.1    Home  Luton Town                    Drew 2-2     Kitson(17), Hunter(65)               5823

                                Ashdown, Bignot, Hunter, Hanlon, Jack, Quinn,

                                Burgess, Sambrook, Kitson, Hall, Lowe.

                                Subs used: Nil.

                                Luton goals 6, 39.

 

Sat 17.1    Away   Plymouth Argyle               Lost 0-3      –                                      13021

                                Ashdown, Bignot, Hunter, Hanlon, Jack, Quinn,

                                Burgess, Sambrook, Kitson, Hall, Lowe.

                                Subs used: Dempster for Hunter(21), Bell for Kitson(45), Talbot for Hanlon(66).

                                Plymouth goals 47, 58, 90.

 

Sat 31.1    Home  Oldham Athletic               Won  4-1    Jack(26), Lowe(36), Burgess(71),

                                                                     Hall(88)                               4591

                                Ashdown, Mills, Hunter, Hanlon, Jack, Quinn,

                                Burgess, Sambrook, Hall, Lowe, Roget.

                                Subs used: Bell for Hanlon(60), Dempster for Hunter(89).

                                Oldham goal 55.

 

Sat  7.2    Away   Swindon Town                  Lost 2-4      og(Reeves53), Jack(77)              7023

                                Ashdown, Mills, Hunter, Jack, Quinn, Burgess,

                                Sambrook, Bell, Hall, Lowe, Roget.

                                Subs used: Kitson for Bell(74).

                                Swindon goals 9, 17p, 76, 90.

 

Sat 14.2    Away   Chesterfield                   Lost 0-2      –                                      4361

                                Ashdown, Mills, Hunter, Jack, Burgess, Gray,

                                Sambrook, Bell, Hall, Lowe, Roget.

                                Subs used: Kitson for Bell(57), Hanlon for Gray(66), Dempster for Sambrook(79).

                                Swindon goals 2, 59p.

 

Sat 21.2    Home  Sheffield Wednesday         Lost 1-2      Jack(86)                              5685

                                Ashdown, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Hunter, Jack,

                                Gray, Bell, Hall, Lowe, Roget.

                                Subs used: Hanlon for Bell(70).

                                Sheff Wed goals 11p, 52p.

 

Tue 24.2    Home  Tranmere Rovers               Won  2-1    Lowe(49), Mills(70)                  3074

                                Ashdown, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Edwards, Hunter,

                                Jack, Gray, Bell, Hall, Lowe.

                                Subs used: Hanlon for Mills(75), Sambrook for Bell(84).

                                Tranmere goal 54.

 

Sat 28.2    Away   Wrexham                      Drew 1-1     Jack(30)                              3680

                                Ashdown, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Edwards, Hunter,

                                Hanlon, Jack, Gray, Kitson, Roget.

                                Subs used: Hall for Hanlon(74), Duffy for Kitson(80).

                                Wrexham goal 20.

 

Tue  2.3    Home  Blackpool                       Drew 0-0     –                                      3764

                                Ashdown, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Hunter, Jack,

                                Gray, Bell, Hall, Lowe, Roget.

                                Subs used: Burgess for Gray(64), Kitson for Hall(64).

 

Sat  6.3    Home  Peterborough Utd              Lost 0-1      –                                      4855

                                Ashdown, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Hunter, Jack,

                                Gray, Bell, Hall, Lowe, Roget.

                                Subs used: Burgess for Gray(46), Kitson for Hall(46), Hanlon for Bell(74).

                                Peterborough goal 23.

 

Brian Talbot resigned as Manager 8.3

Barry Hunter appointed as Caretaker Manager 10.3

 

Fri 12.3     Away   Bristol City                    Lost 0-1      –                                      12559

                                Ashdown, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Edwards, Hunter,

                                Jack, Gray, Bell, Kitson, Roget.

                                Subs used: Burgess for Gray(72), Hanlon for Mills(81), Duffy for Kitson(89).

                                Bristol goal 29.

 

Tue 16.3    Home  Notts County                  Won  2-1    Edwards(12/36)                      4030

                                Turley, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Edwards, Jack,

                                Gray, Bell, Hall, Lowe, Roget.

                                Subs used: Hanlon for Hall(66).

                                Notts Co goal 62.

 

Sat 20.3    Away   Brentford                      Lost 2-3      Burgess(76), Lowe(88)                4616

                                Turley, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Edwards, Hanlon,

                                Jack, Gray, Bell, Kitson, Roget.

                                Subs used: Hall for Mills(44), Lowe for Hanlon(46), Burgess for Bell(69).

                                Brentford goals 26, 27, 36.

 

Sat 27.3    Home  Bournemouth                   Lost 0-3      –                                      4500

                                Turley, Edwards, Hunter, Hanlon, Jack, Burgess,

                                Gray, Sambrook, Bell, Kitson, Roget.

                                Subs used: Duffy for Kitson(46), Kelly for Bell(63).

                                Bournemouth goals 37, 48, 62.

 

Sat  3.4    Away   Stockport                      Lost 1-2      Hunter(70)                            4717

                                Turley, Edwards, Hunter, Hanlon, Jack, Burgess,

                                Gray, Dempster, Sambrook, Bell, Kitson.

                                Subs used: Duffy for Kitson(73), Kelly for Bell(89).

                                Stockport goals 68, 88p.

 

Sat 10.4    Home  Barnsley                        Lost 2-3      Gray(27), Hunter(82)                4063

                                Turley, Edwards, Hunter, Hanlon, Jack, Burgess,

                                Gray, Sambrook, Duffy, Bell, Kitson.

                                Subs used: Kelly for Kitson(46), Dempster for Sambrook(46), Roget for Duffy(79).

                                Stockport goals 10, 41, 45.

 

Mon 12.4   Away   Brighton & HA                 Drew 0-0     –                                      6320

                                Turley, Hunter, Hanlon, Jack, Burgess, Gray,

                                Dempster, Sambrook, Duffy, Kelly, Roget.

                                Subs used: Story for Duffy(89).

 

 

 

 

 

Sat 17.4    Away   Grimsby Town                  Lost 0-1      –                                      3890

                                Turley, Edwards, Hunter, Hanlon, Jack, Burgess,

                                Gray, Sambrook, Bell, Duffy, Roget.

                                Subs used: Kelly for Bell(82).

                                Grimsby goal 80p.

 

Barry Hunter relieved as Caretaker Manager 22.4

Ernie Tippett appointed as Manager 22.4

 

Sat 24.4    Home  Hartlepool Utd                 Lost 0-2      –                                      4568

                                Turley, Edwards, Hunter, Hanlon, Jack, Burgess,

                                Gray, Sambrook, Duffy, Kelly, Roget.

                                Subs used: Kitson for Duffy(60), Story for Hanlon(60).

                                Hartlepool goals 56, 79.

 

Sat  1.5    Away   Colchester                     Lost 0-2      –                                      4618

                                Turley, Edwards, Hunter, Hanlon, Jack, Burgess,

                                Gray, Bell, Kitson, Kelly, Roget.

                                Subs used: Dempster for Bell(75).

                                Colchester goals 81p, 90.

 

Sat  8.5    Home  Port Vale                       Lost 0-2      –                                      5240

                                Turley, Edwards, Hunter, Hanlon, Jack, Burgess,

                                Gray, Bell, Kitson, Kelly, Roget.

                                Subs used: Story for Edwards(66).

                                Port Vale goals 14, 90.

 

Total           ( played 46, won 13, drew 9, lost 24  –  goals 60 / 74  =  48pts – 22^nd relegated)

 

 

 

 

FA Cup

 

Sat  8.11   Away   Swansea City (1)               Lost 0-3      –                                      5031

                                Evans, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Edwards, Hunter,

                                Jack, Darby, Burgess, Gray, Bell.

                                Subs used: Hanlon for Burgess(28), Dempster for Edwards(41), Hall for Bell(56).

                                Swansea goals 38, 58, 88.

 

 

Carling Cup

 

Wed 13.8   Away   West Ham Utd (1)            Lost 1-3      Lowe(34)                              13715

                                Turley, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Edwards, Hunter,

                                Jack, Burgess, Bell, Hall, Lowe.

                                Subs used: Darby for Jack(81), Gray for Mills(85), Dempster for Hunter(86).

                                West Ham goals 9, 14, 78.

 

 

LDV Vans Trophy

 

Wed 15.10 Away   Oxford Utd (1)                Won  1-0    Gray(36p)                             2510

                                Evans, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Edwards, Hanlon,

                                Jack, Gray, Dempster, Bell, Kitson.

                                Subs used: Sambrook for Bignot(45), Burgess for Jack(78), Story for Kitson(82).

 

Tue  4.11   Home  Luton Town (2)                Lost 1-2      Jack(23)                              2746

                                Evans, Bignot, Underwood, Mills, Edwards, Hanlon,

                                Jack, Burgess, Gray, Dempster, Kitson.

                                Subs used: Hall for Mills(45), Talbot for Burgess(82).

                                Luton goals 7, 19p.

 

Rushden & Diamonds 0 Port Vale 2

Match report by Chris Barritt

Diamonds were relegated for the first time in their history thanks to two well taken goals from Steve McPhee at Nene Park 

The home side produced their best performance in a long time but failed to hit the net for the fourth consecutive game as Vale’s leading scorer struck in the 13th minute and again in second half injury time with a neat lob. The visitors also struck the woodwork four times.

Diamonds kept the side that went down 2 – 0 at Colchester last weekend while McPhee and Steve Brooker shook off niggling injuries to enable Vale to name an unchanged team after beating Tranmere 2 – 1. Both teams needed to win for very different reasons with Vale looking to reach the play – offs and Diamonds trying to avoid relegation. However, each side knew that victory itself would not guarantee their target unless other results went their way.

Diamonds enjoyed the first attack with David Bell running onto a long ball before hitting a long range shot which swerved just over the bar. Four minutes later, Paul Kitson latched onto Andy Burgess’ free kick and struck a half volley which Jonathan Brian saved at the second attempt.

At the other end, Andy Edwards produced a superb saving tackle to deny Brooker as the striker shaped to shoot. However, on 13 minutes, Diamonds went behind to a clinical strike from McPhee. The striker beat the offside trap as he latched onto Michael Cummins long ball  and coolly drew Billy Turley before slotting the ball home.

Diamonds faced an uphill task from thereon but stuck to their task manfully. Barry Hunter and Leo Roget were sent up-field on a regular basis and on one just occasion on 19 minutes, Hunter glanced a header wide from Bell’s cross.

Seven minutes later, there were loud appeals for a penalty when Burgess appeared to be pushed off the ball by Steve Rowland as he raced into the Port Vale penalty area. Referee Armstrong waived play on.

Burgess was always in the thick of things and continually showed the skills that make him such a talented footballer. On 35 minutes, he tried his luck with a 20 yard shot that flew wide.

Diamonds were enjoying more of the possession but it was the visitors who were creating more clear cut chances. McPhee saw a shot beaten away by Turley who was then left helpless as Brooker’s 42nd minute shot hit the inside of the left hand post before running behind Turley and away from safety. On the stroke of half-time, Richie Hanlon teed up a 35 yard pile driver which dipped just over the bar.

Three minutes into the second half, Port Vale hit the woodwork again. This time Marc Bridge – Wilkinson cut in from the left before bending his effort round Turley and onto the far post.

The game swung from end to end and Hanlon saw a 35yard strike touched round the post by Brian. On 62 minutes, Stuart Gray misses a glorious chance to level the scores. Bell’s cross fell nicely to the Diamonds captain but his volley went over the bar.

Diamonds sent on Owen Story in place of Edwards and changed their formation to 3 – 4 -3 leaving Hunter, Roget and Burgess in defence while Bell played just behind the front two

With virtually his first touch, Story set up Gray but he miskicked from 12 yards and then after Hunter headed down from Bell’s corner, Marcus Kelly blazed over.

Diamonds were throwing everything at the visitors as they battled to retain their Second Division status and Paul Kitson glanced a free header wide. However, it was the visitors who finished the stronger. McPhee ran clear of the Diamonds defence but couldn’t believe it when his shot came back off the inside the post. Unbelievably, the same player hit the woodwork again less than a minute later but had the last laugh in injury time. The striker scored his 26th goal of the season when he ran on to a long ball and produced a delicate lob to beat Turley.

When the final whistle went it was disappointment for both sides. Diamonds knew they were down while Hartlepool’s point at fellow play-off contenders Swindon confirmed Vale’s continued presence in Division Two.  

Diamonds: Turley, Edwards (Story 66), Hunter, Hanlon, Jack, Burgess, Gray, Bell, Kitson, Kelly, Roget

Subs unused: Dempster, Sambrook, Talbot, Okonghue

Bookings: Roget, Hunter

Port Vale: Brian, Pilkington, Collins, Cummins, Brooker (Brisco 83), McPhee, Bridge – Wilkinson, Reid, Rowland, Paynter, James

Subs unused: Delaney, Armstrong, Littlejohn, Burns

Bookings: Pilkington, Paynter

Diamonds MOM: Burgess

Referee:         Mr P.Armstrong

Attendance: 5,240

Colchester United 2 Rushden & Diamonds 0

Match report by Chris Barritt

A twice taken penalty by Scott McGleish and a late blast from Gavin Johnson sent Diamonds perilously close to relegation at Layer Road.

The game was not without controversy with Barry Hunter harshly adjudged to be guilty of two bookable offences and then Leo Roget guilty of handball to give Colchester their first goal.

Diamonds were desperate for points to stay out of the relegation zone and manager Ernie Tippett stuck with a 4 – 4 – 2 formation and he made two changes from the side that lost 2 – 0 at home to Hartlepool last weekend. Paul Kitson replaced the suspended Robert Duffy while David Bell came into midfield in place of Andy Sambrook.

Colchester came into the game on the back of two consecutive victories and just one defeat in 8 matches. They kept the same team that beat Sheffield Wednesday last time out.

Colchester started brightly and in the 6th minute Gareth Williams went close with a snapshot which hit the side netting while three minutes later, Leo Roget was quick to react to Williams’ surging run and his tackle saved a dangerous situation.

On 10 minutes, the visitors won a free kick 35 yards out but Bell’s shot cleared the bar. A minute later Bell missed a glorious chance to give Diamonds the lead. The youngster was all alone on the edge of the penalty area when Kitson’s flick on fell into his path but the resultant shot went well wide.

At the other end, Turley saved Williams short range shot at the second attempt before Joseph Keith curled a left foot shot just wide of the left hand upright.

After 17 minutes, Colchester ‘keeper Simon Brown made an audacious attempt to beat Turley with a clearance from his own penalty area but the ‘shot’ ran out of steam!

Four minutes later, Gavin Johnson’s cross from the left deflected onto the top of the bar and away for a corner and then Rodney Jack sent a 20 yard shot over the bar.

The game became very scrappy for the remainder of the half with little to excite the crowd. Seven minutes from the interval, Williams picked out Keith on the edge of the area but his shot lacked power allowing Turley the chance to get down well and save at full stretch.  

On 49 minutes, Diamonds had another excellent chance to take the lead when Andy Burgess’ free kick was flicked on by Barry Hunter to Jack 12 yards out. The striker rounded the ‘keeper but could only find the side netting from a difficult angle.

Both teams were finding it difficult to string passes together as the game became disjointed. Bobby Bowry tried a speculative long-range shot which failed to trouble Turley while six minutes later. Johnson drilled a cross against the face of the goal leaving Burgess to slice the ball over his own crossbar. 

On 72 minutes, Diamonds were reduced to ten men when Hunter was harshly adjudged to have brought down substitute Wayne Andrews. Worse was to follow when referee Hegley awarded a penalty to the home side on 78 minutes after Hanlon was adjudged to have handled Johnson’s corner. McGleish stepped up to drill the ball into the left hand corner of the net but was then ordered to retake the spot kick following encroachment. McGleish gave Turley no chance by putting the ball into exactly the same corner.

Two minutes from time, Colchester wrapped up the points when Andrews’ cross reached Johnson on the opposite side of the area and he drilled his shot past Turley.

Diamonds: Turley, Edwards, Hunter, Hanlon, Jack, Burgess, Gray, Bell, Kitson, Kelly, Roget

Subs unused: Dempster, Gahan, Sambrook, Story, Talbot

Bookings: Jack 20, Hunter 26, Roget 77

Sent Off:         Hunter 72

Colchester United: Brown, Keith, Johnson, McGleish, Izzet, Bowry, White, Halford, Stockley, Williams (Andrews 63), Brown

Subs unused: Pinault, Cade, Chilvers, McKinney

Bookings:

Diamonds MOM: Turley

Referee:         Mr G.Hegley

Attendance: 4,618