After Tuesday evening's League game, this was always going to be a hard struggle for both sides particularly on a very heavy pitch that was playable whilst many other local matches fell foul of the weather, and both sets of players handled the situation well. Neither side were willing to give an inch, but the encounter could never be described as a dour struggle, as both Rushden and Banbury looked to break the deadlock.

The first chance of any note fell to Rushden in the 23rd minute when a free-kick from the left was met at the far post by Alex Collard, but his strong header was saved well by Jack Harding. Then, ten minutes later, Pablo Haysham sent in a rasping shot which was fractionally too high, and Charlie Hawtin went close with a rare effort when the home defence was expecting a cross.

The score-line at the interval had an air of inevitability about it, but the home side looked to push harder in the second half, and Banbury were pushed back on the defensive as Rushden started to get on top. Indeed, in the 50th minute ex-Banbury defender Liam Dolman had the ball in the net only for an offside decision to rule his effort out. Three minutes later, Harding made another good save at the foot of the post, to tip the ball round for a corner. Banbury's defence were in fantastic form as they denied the home side as a man, with Morgan Roberts and ex-Puritan striker Tom Lorraine both having goal-bound shots cleared. Then in the 71st minute, following a corner, Dolman could scarcely believe it when his point-blank header was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Harding, with a save that would not be bettered anywhere in the country on the day.

Whilst Jaanai Gordon worked hard, mostly alone up front, he always looked dangerous, and he will need more help in Tuesday's replay, if Banbury are to progress to the next round. Overall, this week has seen two games that were very even, given that they were both away from home, and maybe a little bit of magic, helped by a good Banbury crowd, may be just the tipping point for United.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds:- Ben Heath, Zack Reynolds, Sam Brown, Ryan Hughes, Liam Dolman (captain), Alex Collard, MorgaN Roberts, Ben Farrell (55 mins. Matthew Slinn), Tom Lorraine (89 mins. Jack Bowen), Jordan MacLeod (67 mins. Ben Acquaye), Nathan Hicks.
Subs not used: Jack Ashton, Jesse Akubuine, Niall Cooper, Nathaniel Gosnal-Tyler.

Banbury United:- Jack Harding, Connor Roberts, Gedeon Okito (89 mins. Kobe Chong), Eddie Odhiambo (59 mins. Claudio Dias), Kynan Isaac, Jack Westbrook (captain), Charles Hawtin, Giorgio Rasulo, Pablo Haysham, Ryan Nesbitt (67 mins. John Mills), Jaanai Gordon.
Subs not used: Denilson Silva, Anderson Cayola Villarroell, Charllie Barnett.

Attendance – 315

Man of the match as selected by Puritans Radio – Jack Westbrook