Rushden & D 2 Plymouth 1

Last updated : 16 August 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Rushden & Diamonds gained their first points of the season with a narrow victory over Plymouth.

Rushden opened brightly and on two minutes a good effort by Paul Hall went inches wide.

Four minutes later Onandi Lowe appeared to be upended in the box but the referee waved aside his protests.

In the 19th minute Plymouth defender Lee Hodges struck a superb shot from 25 yards which forced a good save from Billy Turley.

Lowe should have put Rushden ahead in the 28th minute but the striker shot weakly at Larrieu from five yards out. The first half was very even but neither side could create many clear-cut chances.

In the 51st minute, Graham Coughlan went close when he saw his near post header blocked by Turley. Rushden took the lead on 54 minutes when Lowe headed home from five yards out following a fine run and cross by Gary Mills.

Plymouth were stunned two minutes later when Rushden increased their lead when Rodney Jack intercepted Lee Hodges' back-pass and rounded Larrieu to shoot home and score his first goal since his move from Crewe.

Rushden took confidence from their two-goal lead and Andy Burgess caused danger down the left and crossed but Hall was unable to get any power into his header and Larrieu saved easily.

On 77 minutes, Plymouth pulled a goal back when Tony Capaldi cleverly beat his man on the left and curled in a fine shot to leave Turley helpless.

Plymouth strived for an equaliser but the Rushden defence, well-marshalled by Barry Hunter, held firm.

Rushden manager Brian Talbot was pleased with his team's performance as they continue to adjust to the second division.

However, Paul Sturrock was disappointed with his team's defending in a period of the second half and he said: "You cannot legislate for such defending."