A double from Stephen McPhee gave Port Vale the spoils and condemned Rushden & Diamonds to relegation for the first time in their short history. However, Vale were also left feeling disappointed after missing out on a play-off place on goal difference.
McPhee opened the scoring when he latched on to a pass from Michael Cummins and fired into the net.
Stuart Gray missed three chances for Rushden before McPhee raced on to another long ball and slotted home.
It was McPhee's 27th goal of the season but Swindon's draw with Hartlepool ensured that it was not enough for Vale to secure a place in the top six.
Steve Brooker went close to joining McPhee on the scoresheet in the first half but he saw his shot come back off the post.
Rushden & D'monds: Turley, Roget, Edwards, Hunter, Burgess, Kelly, Bell, Hanlon, Gray, Jack, Kitson. Subs: Dempster, Sambrook, Talbot, Story, Okuonghae.
Port Vale: Brain, Rowland, Pilkington, Collins, James, Paynter, Reid, Cummins, Bridge-Wilkinson, Brooker, McPhee. Subs: Brisco, Delaney, Armstrong, Littlejohn, Burns.
Referee: P Armstrong (Berkshire)
MMIX
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