Boss Sandy happy to win 'ugly' as Diamonds win again to close in on play-offs

​In their first home game since January 24, Sandy’s side fought back from going 1-0 down midway through the first half to record another win and close in on the promotion play-off places.

Diamonds stay in seventh, but they are now just a point behind sixth-placed county neighbours Wellingborough Town - who play Corby Town at Steel Park on Wednesday night - and they have a game in hand.

Sandy’s men are also breathing down the necks of fifth-placed Coleshill Town, as they are just three points shy of them with two games in hand.

Fourth-placed Belper are also in range as they also sit three points clear, although they have played the same number of games as Diamonds.

A crowd just shy of 300 turned out for Rushden’s first home game in almost two months, and they were stunned when Sphinx took the lead on 22 minutes.

Diamonds weren’t at their best, but found a leveller just before the break thanks to a 'wonder goal' from Jordan O’Brien.

Sandy’s men then upped their game in the second half, and netted what would prove to be the winner on 69 minutes, Tyler Winters netting after a knockdown from Tarik Dallas.

"I am pleased with the result, but it was an ugly, ugly win," Sandy told @AFCRD. "We didn't get going in the first half, but then a wonder goal from Jordan got us back in the game.

"It is the sign of a good team that when you are not quite at it you still find a way to win, and that's pretty much what we did.

"We were really flat in the first half and Coventry were good, but it shows the character of our lads and we have players like Jordan who can come up with that bit of magic to get that equaliser than turned the game on its head.

"That got us on the front foot in the second half, and we weren't great but we were better, and it is great for Tyler to get that goal, because he is flying now."

Diamonds are back in action on Saturday when they host in-form Boldmere St Michael’s.