Struggling Steelmen secure precious win, but Diamonds lose unbeaten record
Corby Town bounced back from successive heavy defeats to secure a crucial 2-0 win over high-flying Mickleover at Steel Park on Tuesday night.
Manager Graham Drury had demanded his defence tighten things up after his side conceding four goals in their past two matches against Wellingborough Town and Barwell.
The latter, a 4-0 loss on Saturday, saw the Steelmen fall eight points adrift of safety.
But they closed that gap to five points, and with a game in hand, thanks to their win over a Mickleover side on the fringes of the play-off race.
Drury's side desperately needed a win, and they did the business, to hand the manager his first win since returning to the club last month.
After a tight start, Corby eventually took the lead through a scrappy 69th-minute own goal, and then Wiktor Gromek sealed the deal five minutes into stoppage time.
Mickleover had been reduced to 10 men with the 44th-minute sending off of Charlie Hickingbottom for two bookings.
The victory means the Steelmen move up to third from bottom, and close that gap to safety to five points.
On Saturday, Corby face a nother big test as they entertain third-placed Shepshed Dynamo at Steel Park (ko 3pm).
AFC Rushden & Diamonds' unbeaten start to the league season is over after they went down to a 1-0 defeat at play-off rivals Loughborough Students on Tuesday.
Elliot Sandy's side were undone by a single strike on the hour, with Jamie Bryn Harris the man on target.
There were further injury issues for Diamonds, with striker James Clifton having to leave the field injured after 35 minutes.
The loss saw Loughborough go above Diamonds, who slip to 10th but are still in a great position, three points off the top seven with three games in hand.
Saturday sees Diamonds face another testing away day as they go to fifth-placed Carlton Town (ko 3pm).