Rushden & Diamonds vs Gresley Rovers
Aston on form - Andy Parker - Burton Mail
Bob Aston answered his critics in dazzling style in the mud and the mayhem of Rushden & Diamonds' Nene Park on Saturday.
On a pitch that was barely playable before the kick off and made worse by non-stop rain throughout the second half, Aston shone through the gloom to defy a storming comeback bid by the home side.
Manager Steve Dolby, swallowing the disappointment of seeing his side's 2-0 half time lead snatched away by a late, late equaliser, said afterwards: "The keeper was absolutely outstanding. After all the criticism he had last week after letting in five against Newport I thought he had a terrific game."
Yet Aston was only one of several outstanding performers as Rovers shook off any after effects of their biggest defeat for several seasons by producing a controlled and cultured first half display in the mud.
The Moatmen were at their hosts' throats right from the off and only outstanding goalkeeping from Aston's opposite number Kevin Shoemake denied them an early lead.
The Rushden keeper was in action after just two minutes, holding Robbie Briscoe's crisp drive at the foot of a post, then twice in five minutes produced spectacular stops to deny goal-bound, long-range efforts from Richard Denby.
But after controlling the game for the first half hour Rovers' grip began to slip as the interval approached as Rushden suddenly stepped up a gear and only a timely interception from Gil Land denied the predatory Frank Belfon as he homed in on Aston's goal.
Suddenly, though, Rovers wrested the game back into their control in spectacular fashion.
Martin Dick crossed from the right, Briscoe headed powerfully goalwards and as Tony Marsden challenged the ball fell at Kieron Smith's feet for a simple close-range finish.
Three minutes later it was 2-0, Marsden heading emphatically home from inside the six-yard box following Briscoe's right wing free kick.
Rovers must have been further encouraged by the sight of Belfon limping from the fray with the second half just seven minutes old but it was a turning point for Rushden.
The appearance of substitute Andy Kirkup suddenly gave the home side a much more threatening look and within five minutes the game was balanced on a knife edge.
Adie Mann skated down the centre but appeared to have been driven wide. Aston, though failed to collect on the byline and Mann's cross was headed into an empty net by Grenville Donegal.
Five minutes later Rushden were celebrating an equaliser after Donegal diverted Kirkup's shot past Aston but Rovers were reprieved by a lineman's offside flag.
More heat stopping moments ensued as the game drew towards a thrilling climax, Aston brilliantly diverting Mann's shot over the bar after the winger had broken clear on the left of the box then looking on helplessly as Mann broke through again - only to shoot over.
The Gresley keeper received treatment after bravely blocking Kirkup's point blank effort but ironically it was in time added on for such stoppages that Rushden finally equalised, Kirkup firing home from close-range after Mann's run down the left had taken him past three defenders.
Rovers substitute Craig Weston almost snatched a result with an extra time lob that Shoemake stretched to hold above his head but Rovers fans were soon cheering their own keeper again after he dashed from his line, slipped in the mud and then recovered to make another terrific save at Donegal's feet.
Rushden & Diamonds (0) 2
Gresley Rovers (2) 2
(After extra time)
Scorers: Donegal 62, Kirkup 94 (Rushden & Diamonds); Smith 42, Marsden 45 (Gresley Rovers).
Rushden & Diamonds: Shoemake, Bushell, Johnson, Flower, Waite, Peakes, Leslie, Mann, Donegal, Belfon (Kirkup 52), York. Sub not used: Wilson.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Dick (Weston 65), Briscoe, Denby, Evans, Land, Wardle, Marsden, Smith, Taplin (Devaney 98), Swainston.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Gil Land.
Referee: J R Hubbard (Leicester).
Attendance: 423
