Rushden & Diamonds 2 Peterborough Utd 2 (Diamonds win 3 – 2 on pens)

Rushden & Diamonds 2 – 2 Peterborough United (Diamonds win 3 – 2 on penalties)

Rushden & Diamonds lifted the Maunsell Cup after a dramatic penalty shoot – out at Nene Park.

Following a goalless first half, Darren Caskey gave Diamonds the lead on 64 minutes when he lobbed the ‘keeper from 20 yards.

The visitors equalised 13 minutes later through a  Jamie Day header before the same player hit a sweet left foot volley on 85 minutes to edge The Posh in front.

However, within a minute Barry Hunter’s header from Caskey’s free kick put Diamonds back on level terms to send the tie into a penalty shoot out.

Scott Tynan saved Day’s first spot kick before Caskey and Dean Holden both fired home to make it 1 – 1. Tom Shaw missed with a twice taken penalty leaving Adam Newton to put the visitors 2 – 1 ahead. Greg Pearson saw his kick saved while Tynan kept out Andre Boucode’s shot. Daniel Grainger made it 2 -2 before Tynan produced his third save of the night to deny Calum Willock. Up stepped Simeon Jackson to find the net and hand Diamonds the cup.