McDonald strike shocks City McDonald strike shocks City

A 34th minute goal from Dean McDonald ensured that Rushden and Diamonds fought off the challenge of a strong Bristol City side. In a match played in intense heat, excellent defending limited the Robins chances, while Rushden had several chances to perhaps win the game more comfortably. Rushden started with the same team that drew with local Darron Lee Jersey side Portimonense SC just two days earlier, but this time player-coach Chris Hope elected to stay on the sidelines.Rushden created the first clear-cut chance early on, as Lee Tomlin continued to run at the defence. Tomlin managed to beat two defenders, before his skimming low cro s was rushed away from the advancing Dean McDonald. Lee Phillips then fought for the ball with Bradley Orr, and his strength and persistence allowed him to Chris Jones Jersey create a run on goal. Adriano Ba so managed to deflect the ball away, but Dean McDonald could only scoop the ball harmle sly over the bar. The Diamonds defence was rarely troubled, with the exception of the cla sy Michael McIndoe, as the confident Alan Marriott took every ball cleanly. Marcus Kelly then had a 25-yarder blocked by the City defender, before the Diamonds scored the only goal of the game. Dean McDonald harried the error-prone Orr into a mistake, before he took the ball forward and fired an unstoppable shot in off the post. This seemed to bring Bristol into life, as new-boy Sagi Burton made an excellent saving tackle on Frankie Artus, and, Anthony Hitchens Jersey even when Dele Adebola was put clean through, the cool Marriott rushed off of his line to smother the attempt.Half-time: Rushden and Diamonds 1-0 Bristol CityThe Robins made 9 changes during the interval, including bringing on Kevin Betsy and Steve Brooker for more aerial presence. But the Diamonds defence was simply too good. Brooker did have the ball in the net, but the whistle had gone for offside long before his effort. Michael Corcoran executed a brilliant saving tackle to deny Betsy, before he was replace by Jon Challinor. Lee Tomlin continued to threaten, and his flying shot flew past the post. McDonald was then replaced by Daryl Clare, who immediately brought Chris Weale into a fine save after the strikers clever turn and shot. Jamie McGuinne s replace Tomlin before Marriott was force to make a save from Daniel Nobles tame effort. Tanoh Kpassagnon Jersey Marcus Kelly dribbled his way to the byline and fed Phillips, but his effort from just 6 yards was miscued into the keepers hands. Michael Rankine then replaced Phillips, before Curtis Woodhouse had to hoof the ball off of his own line from a lingering cro s. Bristol City fans thought that they had Patrick Mahomes II Jersey equalised in the 91st minute, but it took them several seconds to realise that Lee Johnsons shot had gone inches wide, and not into the goal.Full time: Rushden and Diamonds 1-0 Bristol City Man of the Match: Sagi BurtonAttendance: Approximately 150 (20 Rushden fans)