RUSS Penn's eighth goal of the season helped Harriers on the way to a deserved win at old rivals Rushden and Diamonds in glorious April heat at Nene Park today.

Only three teams in the entire division have a better away record than Harriers and with performances you can easily see why. More frustratingly it hits home more the fact that Harriers could easily be title challengers if they could put their home form right.

Whilst boss Mark Yates was keen to point that out following this success, he could only praise his troops after a hard day's work in some strong sunshine, Penn's rasping 20-yard drive just four minutes before the break the only goal of the game though the visitors deserved a little more.

Brian Smikle - in the team for a rare start - could only hit his shot at Matt Baker's legs after getting in one-on-one in front of goal with just eight minutes on the clock - with Mark Creighton clipping the crossbar near the end of the game with a thumping header. In-between, Harkness was a real danger from set-pieces, forcing Baker into an early save with one and rattling the woodwork with another with just 14 minutes on the clock.

Simeon Jackson wasted the hosts best opportunities - firstly when he fired wide after getting past the Harriers' defence with 30 minutes gone and firing high over the bar late on after working himself out some good space in the area.

The deadlock was broken when Harkness knocked his free-kick into the path of PENN who blasted an unstoppable drive past Baker to hand Harriers the lead, much to the delight of the 195 away supporters. The home fans by contrast were extremely frustrated throughout and at times berated their own players and management, but the intimidating atmosphere certainly didn't affect the hosts who defended heroically, centre-halves Creighton and Whitehead being as dominant as you'd now expect.

Wayne Hatswell, formerly a Harrier came on in the second half to a warm reception from the travelling contingent but as even he ventured forward during four minutes of injury -time there was just no way Harriers looked like conceding.

Aldershot Town - who lost 2-0 at Halifax this afternoon - visit Aggborough in the Conference on Tuesday night (7:45pm)

Rushden & D'monds: Baker, Ashton, Hope, Goodliffe (Hatswell 46), Watson, Williams, Mills (Savage 37), Shaw, Wright (Lambley 63), Jackson, Rankine.
Subs Not Used: Tynan, Tomlin.

Harriers: Bevan, Sedgemore, Creighton, Whitehead, Harkness, Smikle, Penn, Hurren, Brady (Blackwood 79), Christie (Reynolds 86), Constable (Hay 77).
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Russell.

Attendance: 1,925 (195 away)