In-form Rushden and Diamonds will come to R Costings Abbey Stadium tonight full of confidence.
Justin Edinburgh's side have recorded seven successive victories in all competitions, and will be looking to make that eight on the spin in this evening's match.
Nevertheless, Edinburgh has warned his side that they will need to work hard if they are to maintain their good form.
Speaking to the Diamonds official website, he said: "We know certainly that over the course of the duration of the run we have had to work hard for everything that we have got and it will be exactly the same on Tuesday.
"Looking at the weather the conditions are going to be heavy again, not sure about the wind but we have played in difficult conditions of late and this is an element we have to overcome and if we can do that again I'm sure we'll go there and give a good account of ourselves - and I feel we can get something from the game."
The former Spurs defender has done an admirable job in transforming Rushden from mid-table meanderers to a side who can realistically challenge for a play-off place. They currently sit seventh in the table, and if they can maintain their current good form will no doubt be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.
A second promotion to the league would be another memorable chapter in Diamonds short by eventful history.
Formed in 1992 after a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds, the club was bankrolled by Doctor Martens mogul Max Griggs, who brought about the merger and built the new side a small but perfectly formed new ground, Nene Park, which is the envy of many clubs at this level and above.
Starting out in the Southern League Midlands Division, they cut a swift path through the non-league pyramid thanks to some heavy investment from Griggs, winning promotion to the league in 2001. After losing out in the play-off final in their inaugural season, Diamonds romped to promotion the following year, pipping Hartlepool to the championship on the final day of the campaign.
However any thoughts they had of progressing further up the leagues were dashed when Griggs began to scale down his backing. Star players such as Onandi Lowe and Paul Underwood departed, as did long-serving manager Brian Talbot. Barry Hunter took over as player/manager, but was unable to stave off relegation, and the Diamonds immediate drop back to league two was confirmed on the final day of the season.
Another poor season, in 2004/05, saw Rushden escape a second successive demotion by the skin of teeth, thanks largely to the inspired loan signing of Billy Sharp, who plundered a hatful of goals. Shorn of Sharp's skills the following year, they never got away from the bottom of the division, and were relegated to the Conference.
By now the club was in the hands of the Diamonds supporters trust, who took over ownership from Griggs in 2005. The 05/06 season saw Diamonds go through four managers, with Paul Hart, Tony Godden, Graham Westley, and Garry Hill all spending time in the hot seat.
Westley, who presided over a run of seven wins and two draws during his nine games in charge, was surprisingly shown the door when new owner Keith Cousins took charge. Many fans speculate that Cousins' friendship with Colin Hill, Garry's brother, was a factor in the decision to appoint the former Dagenham and Weymouth boss.
2007/08 was a period of transition for the club, as Hill (pictured) brought in his own players but saw his side struggle to find consistency.
They finished 16th, but enjoyed a run to the second round of the FA Cup, where they lost to Bristol Rovers.
Hopes were high last year when Hill spent big on experienced campaigners such as Daryl Clare and our own Lee Phillips, but the expensive stars flopped, and Hill paid the price, resigning in February. Edinburgh, one of many managers to be linked with the United in recent years, took over, and steered his charges to 11th, recording a 1-0 win over local rivals Kettering on the way. The improvement in form was enough to secure him the job on a permanent basis, and he has continued his sides gradual improvement this term.
The Squad
Edinburgh has built a team with a spine of experienced Conference campaigners surrounded by youngsters keen to impress.
Nathan Abbey, brother of ex-United striker Zema, is a well known face for U's fans, having turned out for Luton and Northampton in his long league career. Dale Roberts, a former Nottm Forest trainee, is the other keeper in the squad.
The hulking figure of Curtis Osano occupies the right back birth. He learnt his trade at Reading before signing for Rushden two years ago, and was set to make his England C bow last week in Poland until passport problems curtailed his involvement.
In the centre, skipper Jamie Stuart played under Edinburgh at Grays, as did Simon Downer, who has shaken off the injury problems that plagued have plagued him during his short career. Another option is the versatile Michael Corcoran, while left back Kurt Robinson joined in the summer after being released by Ipswich. Edinburgh's Tractor Boys connections have also secured the services of Jack Ainsley, who joined on loan last month.
Anchoring the midfield will be Max Porter, who played for the U's in 2005/06, before joining Bishops Stortford, Barnet, then ending up at Rushden in the summer.
Ex-U Rob Wolleaston is out injured, but Paul Terry, brother of England skipper John, is available, together with the diminutive Mark Byrne, who is on loan from Nottm Forest.
On the flanks, danger man Lee Tomlin is available again following suspension. He was transferred listed last season, but has been back in the team this term and been displaying the kind of form befitting of a man who went on trial at Man Utd as a youngster. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Tomlin is expected to move to a league club in the January transfer window. Matt Pattison, a summer recruit from Woking, could be on the other flank.
Up front Aaron O'Connor, who was a target for United during Rob Newman's reign, has been in good form of late, and scored twice in Saturday's win over Salisbury after coming off the bench. Craig Farrell, captured from York City, and Cliff Akurang, who is on loan from Barnet, started the match, while the much travelled Jefferson Louis could be on the bench after joining on loan from Crawley.
This Season
Rushden didn't start the year particularly well, picking up just two points from their opening three games - draws with Eastbourne and York following a defeat at Salisbury. Three wins in their next five helped them climb the table, though they only picked up a point against United when we visited Nene Park - Wayne Hatswell's goal equalising Jamie Stuart's thunderous volley.
Biggest win of the season was a 6-1 spanking of Barrow, Farrell netting a brace, while a topsy-turvy match against Edinburgh's old club, Grays, ended 5-4, Akurang getting the decisive goal in injury time.
In fact Diamonds have scored a lot of late goals this term, and Martin Ling will have to make sure his side concentrate for the full 90 minutes if they are to get anything from tonight's encounter. Another stoppage time effort from Akurang saw off Mansfield in September, but they then went four games without a victory before embarking on their current winning streak.
Rushden are still in the FA Cup following victories over Workington and Hinckley United. A tie at Gus Poyet's Brighton and Hove Albion awaits them this Saturday.
Last Time
Since Rushden returned to the Conference in 2006 it's fair to say our matches at the Abbey haven't exactly been classics.
Indeed, there have only been two goals in the three games, with Rushden, then under the guidance of Graham Westley, winning 1-0 on Boxing Day 2006. Marcus Kelly's goal direct from a corner was one of few highlights of a dire game.
United turned the tables in 2007/08, winning 1-0 thanks to Scott Rendell, who came off the bench to head in Dan Gleeson's cross at the far post.
Last year's match between the two sides was a game of few chances, with Daryl Clare spurning Rushden's best opportunity, ballooning over the bar with the goal gaping. United did have the ball in the net in the closing stages, but Chris Holroyd's effort was ruled out for offside. Hopefully there will be more to entertain fans at tonight's match.
Matt Gooding
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