Frustration for Sandy as Diamonds shoot themselves in the foot at Carlton

Diamonds suffered a second straight loss in the Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division, following up last Tuesday's disappointing 1-0 setback at Loughborough Students.

The defeats have left Rushden sitting 12th in the table and now four points off the play-off places, although they have numerous games in hand on most of the sides above them.

In an end-to-end encounter at Carlton, the home side led 1-0 at half-time through Daniel Brown.

Cairo Taylor equalised on 59 minutes, but the home side scored again three minutes later though Charlie Carter to go 2-1 up.

Joel Nketia then struck a 75th-minute leveller, only for Carlton to edge 3-2 in front with their next attack through an own goal.

Diamonds piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser, and were caught on the break in stoppage time as Carlton secured the 4-2 win.

The defeats are not ideal preparation for Saturday's Emirates FA Cup trip to Burton Albion, but Sandy was not overly disappointed with his players' performance at the weekend.

"It was more disappointing off the back of the defeat last Tuesday," said Sandy.

"The manner of the defeat in midweek was really poor and unexpected, whereas on Saturday we started slowly but then after that we were probably the better side throughout the game.

"We had a lot of chances, but the key thing was when we got the game back to 1-1, we conceded five minutes after, and then at 2-2 as well straight from kick off it becomes 3-2.

"So you give yourselves a chance, and then at the same time shoot yourselves in the foot giving the goals away.

"Then the fourth one we had everybody up the pitch trying to get an equaliser, and they have scored again."

Attention now switches fully to the FA Cup date at Burton, and Sandy admits that is something of a relief.

"It was disappointing to lose, but in a way I am just glad these games are over," said the Diamonds boss.

"There has been a lot of talk of Burton obviously, and it's been difficult for the lads.

"Last Tuesday was frustrating, but I can't really knock them for Saturday because the effort and the desire was there, it just wasn't our day."

So has the Burton Cip draw proved a distraction?

"You are a week out from that game, and as much as you try not to talk about it, that is all anyone is talking about," admitted Sandy.

"They're talking about the tickets that have been sold, the tickets needed for players and families, and Burton is all they are talking about to friends, family and each other.

"It is obviously a nice and welcome distraction it's just frustrating we didn't get the points from the games, which is disappointing, but we move on from it."

One bright spot for Sandy was the fact his squad suffered no fresh injury concerns with that trip to the Pirelli Stadium on the horizon.

"Everyone came through Saturday okay, and then the others (who weren't involved) are not too far away," he confirmed.

"We are training Tuesday and Thursday, so we will see who gets through training and hopefully we will have most of the squad to choose from."