Rushden & Diamonds 1 Northwich Vics 0
VICS’ rallying run of four unbeaten league games came to an end thanks to a disputed goal.
Wayne Hatswell was officially credited with the matchwinner - a header from an Andy Burgess cross - but Northwich boss Dino Maamria was among those who believed Simeon Jackson, in an undisputed offside position got the final touch.
He certainly celebrated as if he had scored and Maamria insisted: “Jackson got a touch and the it should not have stood.”
Maamria made several changes from the side that won easily at Altrincham, restoring Natt Kerr to the defence and Mike Carr to midfield. Adam Morning was given his first start and Jake Speight returned from his long injury lay with an eager appearance from the sub’s bench.
The Burgess-Hatswell combination figured firstly after two minutes, but this time his header was easily collected by Scott Tynan.
Simon Rusk advanced down the right flank to launch Northwich’s first substantial attack, but Morning had to contrive a shot, which went wide.
Mike Carr made saving easy for Paul Bastock, but the veteran goalkeeper showed he had lost none of his reflexes as he superbly turned a 25 yard free from Ryan Brown over the bar.
Then Lucas Akins held off Jon Challoner but his tightly angled shot hit an upright.
Vics looked comfortable, until Hatswell found ther mark and early chances in the first half were encouraging, except in the poor finishing of Carr and Nick Farquharson.
At the other end Jackson went close and then Hatswell connected with another Burgess cross, but he was off target.
Jackson was the Diamond who sparkled, but Tynan blocked one effort and saw another created for Curtis Woodhouse rise over the bar.
Speight’s footwork created what proved to be Vics last realistic chance in 67 minutes but his skill were not matched by his finishing.
VICS: Tynan; Rusk, Kerr, Welch, Brown; Williams, Wilson (Byrne 77), Carr, Morning; Farquharson (Speight 63), Akins.
Att: 1,519
