Harborough Town were handed their first loss of 2024 as goals from Dylan Wilson and Ethan Johnston fired AFC Rushden & Diamonds to victory.
Chances fell for both teams in the opening stages, with the visitors’ Jarvis Wilson volleying over from a corner before Tendai Daire’s shot whistled pass the post following a defence-splitting pass from Jake Duffy.
Rushden’s first goal came via a quick free kick which released Wilson down the line, only for the attacker to rifle the ball home at the near post to put his side in the lead.
The lead was nearly doubled soon after the second half with Johnston flicking his effort onto the post but Harborough responded well and went in search of the equaliser.
Kai Tonge forced Ben Heath into a smart save before shots from Daire and Jordon Crawford fell agonisingly wide of the target as the Bees gained further momentum.
Connor Kennedy was next to call Heath into action with a header on goal, while Jacob Scott put his body on the line to block Crawford’s goal-bound effort.
Heath would then go on to provide the save of the match as he spread his body to keep out Paul Malone’s shot to preserve his side’s lead amid the flurry of Harborough chances.
After defending resolutely, Rushden saw their opportunity to launch a counterattack through Reuben Wyatt late , with the attacker releasing Johnston who slot the ball past Marcus Bald to secure the points for the away side.
Harborough Town 0
AFC Rushden & Diamonds 2
Wilson (26’) Johnston (90’)
By Cristian Bratu