Town could consider themselves unlucky not to have taken the lead on 79 minutes when Danny Forrest was fouled in the area by Sagi Burton but referee R.West refused to give a spot-kick.

It was a terrific result coming at one of the best grounds in the league, set-up for Football League competition.

It was a far from outstanding game and would have been one of the less memorable of the season except for Fletcher's all-important contribution at the end, scoring his first goal for the club.

The giant forward has yet to start a Conference match in a Crawley shirt due to an ankle injury suffered in pre-season.

But he turned the game, powering his way through the defence to nod in Bulman's excellent cross off the woodwork, despite having close attention from the home side's back-four.

It was an inspiring finish and prompted glorious scenes of celebration from Crawley players and officials which shows a good togetherness.

Although Crawley had more possession and the better chances on goal, there wasn't much in it and the game looked to be heading towards a predictable 0-0 draw before Fletcher brought the game to life.

Rushden's chances were confined to long-range efforts which did not call Reds' keeper Simon Rayner to have to do much in goal.

Their only shot on target came on the hour mark when Thomas Pinault fouled the pocket handful Leon Knight just outside the area and Andy Burgess forced Rayner into an excellent save from the ensuing free-kick.

Town created a succession of chances, the best coming from Pinault on 25 minutes. His curling kick from 20 yards out tested the alertness of Rushden's stopper Alan Marriott.

Simon Weatherstone, who as ever enjoyed a good game in Town's midfield, drove an early free-kick into the defensive wall, then in the second half tried to find Danny Forrest with another free-kick, but the ball drifted out of play leaving Forrest spread-eagled on the floor near the far post.

Rushden seldom looked likely to score, as in the first half, Rob Wolleaston, Knight and Curtis Osano although menacing, all failed to hit the target.

And the good defensive work from Crawley's back-four, especially Jake Wright, meant that Rushden showed no improvement in the second half as their only attempt on goal came from their skipper Curtis Woodhouse who tried a left-footed shot from 30 yards which barely caused Rayner to give it a second thought.

Town have now gone five games unbeaten and are mounting a great start to their campaign from which they could bid for the play-off places.

With confidence riding so high, it is the perfect time to take on the league leaders Mansfield at Broadfield Stadium this Saturday.


90mins (+3) - GOAL (Crawley) 0-1 STEVE FLETCHER heads in a cross by Dannie Bulman from the right. His first goal for the club clinches the three points.

90mins - 3 minutes of added time signalled

85mins - SUBSTITUTION (Crawley) Anton Douglas replaces Jamie Cook up front.

79mins - Penalty appeal turned down for Crawley after Sagi Burton brought down Danny Forrest in the area. Looked a certain penalty.

79mins - SUBSTITUTIONS (Rushden) Marcus Kelly and Jake Beecroft replace Burgess and Wolleaston.

77mins - Wolleaston lifted a cross from the left which does not find a player and runs out of play.

73mins - Wilson crosses from the right flank to Forrest, whose volley cannot hit the target, then Weatherstone shoots wide from the right.

70mins - Play switches to the other end as Woodhouse drives a shot from 30 yards well clear of goal.

66mins - Weatherstone takes a free-kick from the left-flank, the ball drifts across the penalty area but no-one can connect. Danny Forrest attempted a diving header at the far post as the ball went out of play.

65mins - SUBSTITUTION (Crawley) Steve Fletcher replaces Lewis Killeen.

60mins - Pinault fouls the nippy Knight just outside the area and a free-kick is awarded from a dangerous position. Andy Burgess shoots and forces Simon Rayner in to a diving save.

50mins - Dannie Bulman went wide with a 25-yard shot.

55mins SUBSTITUTION (Rushden) Michael Rankine replaces Lee Phillips up front.

2nd half

Half-time: Rushden & Diamonds 0 Crawley Town 0

44mins - Rushden skipper Curtis Woodhouse blasts a free-kick over the crossbar.

39mins - Osano has an attempt from 25 yards which flies clear of the upright.

30mins - Diamonds former Brighton striker Leon Knight goes close from 20 yards, but again, the home side cannot hit the target.

25mins - Crawley force the opposing keeper Alan Marriott into action to save an effort from 20 yards which he tried to curl into the net.

12mins - Rushden's Andy Burgess fires a shot low and off-target from outside the box.

11mins - Diamonds r4eplay through an an off-balence effort by Rob Wolleaston which went wide from 12 yards, after being set-up by Lee Phillips.

7mins - Crawley have the first chance on goal, a free-kick by Simon Weatherston which hit the wall from 20 yards.

Updates:

Steve Evans kept an unchanged starting line-up from the side which beat Grays Athletic 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Rushden & Diamonds made one change from the XI which started on Tuesday night's 1-1 draw at Barrow. Defender Sago Burton replaced left-back Gareth Jelleyman.

REDS: Rayner, Rents, Weatherstone, Wright, Forrest, Bulman, Pinault, Cook, Killeen, Wilson, Quinn. Subs: Stevens, Giles, Fletcher, Thomas, Douglas

DIAMONDS: Marriott, Osano, Hope, Knight, Woodhouse, Phillips, Burgess, Wolleaston, Burton, Roberts, Corcoran. Gulliver, Rankine, Beecroft, Kelly, Smith

REFEREE: R.West

ATT: 1,376 (91 away)

OBSERVER MAN OF THE MATCH: Steve Fletcher