FULL TIME: HARRIERS 1-3 RUSHDEN

Harriers were bundled out of this season's Setanta Shield after another poor performance left them with just one win from their last ten matches in all competitions.

As with Saturday's defeat to Salisbury, the first 20 minutes of this game were all Harriers with Rushden barely getting a sniff. Clear-cut opportunities were at a premium early on but Darryl Knights and Matthew Barnes-Homer were causing problems to the visiting defenders.

But, again drawing comparisons with the weekend, that's as good as it got as Rushden took the lead on 25 minutes. Both David Brown and Jon Challinor were standing in an offside position but weren't flagged and seized their opportunity; Chris MacKenzie did well to save at the feet of Brown but the ball rolled to CHALLINOR who rolled home into the empty net.

It got worse for Harriers on 37 as Mark Creighton hacked down Andy Burgess on the edge of the area. MacKenzie repeatedly screamed at his wall to cover his left-hand post as he guarded the other but the calls fell on mostly deaf ears save those of Andy GOODING. The former Burton loanee knew exactly where to put the ball and curled home a sweet free-kick.

Harriers made changes at the break but there was little immediate impact with Burgess going close for Rushden eight minutes after half-time.

The hosts pulled a goal back, however, on 73 as one sub set up another; Iyseden Christie playing in Simon RUSSELL who was free in on goal to finish well past Dale Roberts.

But Rushden sealed the victory and their progress in the competition seven minutes later. The home defence was caught wide open and asleep as Burgess forced another save - the ball was recycled to CHALLINOR who curled a fantastic long-range finish past MacKenzie who was rooted to the spot.

No-one from the dressing room was available for comment for an hour after the game but we hope to have comment on the match on harriers.co.uk tomorrow.

HARRIERS: MacKenzie, Kenna, Creighton, Jones, Penn, McGrath (Russell 45), Ferrell, Bignot, Bennett (Christie 45), Barnes-Homer, Knights. Subs not used: Coleman, Hurren, Bailey.

RUSHDEN: Roberts, Osano, Gulliver, Hope, Challinor, Woodhouse, Brown (Lambley 87), Burgess, Gooding (Shaw 78), Kelly, El Kholti (Howell 77). Subs not used: Bastock, Bolt.

Attendance: 739 (30 away)

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