Rushden and Diamonds 1 Derby County 0

The Rams go close but are foiled by another save from Diamonds keeper Billy Turley (Picture Courtesy S Eyre)

The Rams lose out to a well-drilled Rushden and Diamonds side last night. The newly promoted second division team took the game with a single goal from Duane Darby.

Darby sank the Rams in the 40^th minutes when Derby County and England keeper Lee Grant dropped a simple corner. The ball fell for Darby who slid the ball home at a vital time, just before the half time break.

The Rams had several young players on display including 16 year old Tom Huddlestone, who played from the start and Nathen Doyle who cam on a substitute during the game.

Rushden and Diamonds had their goalkeeper, Billy Turley, to thank on several occasions with several good chances for the Rams foiled.

George Burley will not be pleased with the result of the game but several observers have said it was a very good performance by the Rams but they could not find that killer touch in front of goal.

So with just eight days before the big kick-off the coin is still in the air as to whether George Burley has managed to alter the Rams sufficiently to compete in the white hot atmosphere of the first division………….We hope and wait!