NORTHWOOD crashed out of the FA Cup on Saturday as they fell to a narrow defeat against a classy Rushden & Diamonds side.

Despite being in the division below their opposition, Rushden & Diamonds were just too good on the day, as goals from Alfie Taylor and Matt Gearing saw them through to a 2-1 win.

The away side, born a couple of seasons ago out of the ashes of the liquidated Rushden & Diamonds FC, still possess a pretty hefty following and their fans were exceptional throughout, turning Chestnut Avenue into their home for the afternoon.

The game itself started off relatively evenly, as both sides went at it from the start.

And it didn't take too long for the away side to craft their first chance of the game as the lively Gearing forced Jake Knight in the Northwood goal into a fine save.

But the Woods came straight back at them, and Garry Senior should have put the home side ahead when gifted an incredibly opportunity. But he was unable to convert when one on one with the keeper after a deflected through ball had found it's way through to him.

It was eventful, end to end and turning into a very entertaining cup tie.

Both sides were forward desperately in search of the opening goal, and both sides had excellent chances to get it.

Firstly, Jonjo Bates rattled the woodwork with a pile-driver from 20 yards after some excellent footwork.

Then, Taylor flashed an inviting ball right across the face of the Northwood goal with two players flying in, but neither managed to get even a toe on the ball, agonisingly failing to convert.

Finally, after half an hour, Taylor broke the deadlock. Having received the ball in the right hand corner of the area, he turned smartly before driving a low shot past Jake Knight for the opener.

It should have been two just moments later. Taylor, once again in the thick of the action, fed a nice little through ball round the corner to Jack Wisniewski, but he flashed his shot just wide from the right hand side of the area.

Soon,though, it was two. And it was brilliant. Gearing picked up the ball around 25 yards out and belted a dipping beauty into the top right-hand corner.

Mark Burgess, clearly disappointed at his sides first half display, threw on Niko Muir and Dave Lawrence in an attempt to get his sdie back into the game. And to the manager's credit, Northwood immediately looked the brighter.

Muir got them back into the game on the hour mark, receiving a pass from Joakim Ehui before calmly sliding the ball under the keeper to half the deficit.

The home side were now, with Jonjo Bates pulling the strings in midfield, very much in the ascendancy.

Unfortunately however, despite dominating possession in the latter stages, they were unable to create any genuine clear-cut opportunities.

Rushden & Diamonds, sensing victory was close, managed to see the game out relatively comfortably and progress through to the next round by the narrowest of margins.