Rushden & Diamonds 1-0 Mansfield

Akurang joined Diamonds on a season-long loan in July

Cliff Akurang's deflected stoppage-time header earned Rushden & Diamonds maximum points in a game that saw both sides reduced to 10 men.

Akurang's effort looped into the Stags net off Luke Jones to consign the visitors to a third consecutive defeat.

Diamonds bombarded the Stags goal early on, Lee Tomlin missing three great chances and also striking the post.

But Tomlin was then sent off after reacting to a dreadful foul by Gary Mills, who was also dismissed.

The Stags hit back following Tomlin's dismissal and Rob Duffy saw two headers saved by keeper Nathan Abbey while Blair Sturrock also had a shot cleared off the line.

But a Mansfield victory would have been harsh on the home side who created 11 noteworthy chances in the opening 30 minutes.

---

Rushden & D'monds: Abbey, Osano, Downer, Stuart, Robinson, Pattison (Reid 68), Byrne, Terry (Porter 75), Tomlin, O'Connor, Farrell (Akurang 59). Subs Not Used: Roberts, Cousins.Sent Off: Tomlin (30).

Booked: Abbey, Stuart, Byrne, O'Connor.

Goals: Akurang 90.

Mansfield: Marriott, Silk, Garner, Jones, Armstrong, Briscoe, Somner, Mills, Williams (Istead 40), Duffy (Speight 58), Sturrock (Nix 74).
Subs Not Used: Graham, Clare.

Sent Off: Mills (31).

Booked: Briscoe, Somner, Istead.

Att: 1,822.

Ref: R Joyce (Yorkshire).