Peaks praises Fairlamb's control as 'racist comment' overshadows Diamonds' draw

Andy Peaks praised Luke Fairlamb for showing “control” after the AFC Rushden & Diamonds winger was subjected to “a racist comment” during the 1-1 draw with Barwell at Hayden Road.

Diamonds were trailing 1-0 in their first home Southern League Premier Central game of the season when Fairlamb was setting up to take a free-kick on the right-hand side of the pitch.

However, he reacted to something said to him from an individual and the game was halted by referee Richard Eley.

The individual in question was ejected from the ground and Diamonds are now set to launch an investigation into the incident.

Fairlamb went on to set up Diamonds’ equaliser, which was scored by Matty Slinn.

And manager Peaks said: “All I know is that Luke heard a racist comment and he has then told the referee who, to be fair, handled it superbly.

“He told both benches, he told the stewards and they ejected the person from the ground.

“Obviously the club will be getting statements but as far as I, and everyone else at the club is concerned, that is not acceptable.

“I don’t think for a second think that Luke would lie and if what he says has been said then people like that aren’t welcome at this club or any other club.

“I was concerned about Luke because I didn’t want him to take his frustrations out in the wrong way on the pitch but he has come on a long way in the last few years and he has learned the game.

“He’s a good player and he reacted in the right way. He controlled himself and caused Barwell a lot of problems which is what I expect from him.”

Peaks, meanwhile, was pleased with the reaction he eventually got from his players as they bounced back from last Tuesday’s 5-0 hammering at the hands of Newark in the Emirates FA Cup.

They fell behind to a fine long-range strike from Jamie Ashmore and Diamonds goalkeeper Richard Walton made two fine saves at the start of the second half to deny Leandro Browne and Tristan Dunkley.

But Diamonds stormed back in the final 20 minutes with Jack Ashton seeing a header well saved and another coming back off the post either side of Slinn’s good finish after Fairlamb had teed the ball up for him.

“I think, by the end of it, we got a reaction,” Peaks, whose team entertain Hitchin Town on Tuesday night, added.

“We finished the game really positively and in the context of the game it was a good point.

“The goal put us on the back foot and, after what happened the other night, I think it put a few doubts in the players’ heads.

“We had a good chat at half-time and I just said to the boys that at this time last week at Nuneaton we were thinking how good of a team we were and we have had one bad game and people are doubting themselves.

“I wanted us to play with a bit more belief and the second half was 100 per cent better.

“They had a couple of chances and Richard (Walton) has made a couple of good saves but we made some changes and we changed the shape and the longer it went on, we looked like we could go on and win it.

“It took us a while to get the goal and it was a great finish from Slinny, I am pleased for him.

“We have hit the post but we finished on a positive and that was important for us.

“Certain players got better as it went on. Football is a confidence game and last Tuesday night knocked some confidence out of the boys.

“This should restore some of that and now we can take it into Tuesday night.”