Rushden suffered a setback in their pursuit of automatic promotion after they were held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Swansea.

The visitors stunned the hosts with a well-worked goal early in the first half.

On-loan West Ham midfielder Leon Britton evaded two challenges on the edge of the penalty area and produced a pin-point cross for Kevin Nugent to head home.

Nugent, also on loan from Leyton Orient, was denied a second just before the interval when another effort was ruled out for pushing.

Midway through the second half Rushden drew level, Marcus Bignot whipping in a first-time cross and Paul Hall rising unchallenged to deftly head the ball beyond Swansea goalkeeper Roger Freestone.

Rushden & D'monds: Turley, Bignot, Peters, Hunter, Underwood, Hall, Mills, Burgess, Gray, Partridge, Lowe. Subs: Wardley, Bell, Talbot, Duffy, Dempster

Swansea: Freestone, Jason Smith, Tate, Evans, Howard, Williams, Martinez, Britton, Johnrose, Nugent, Thomas. Subs: O'Leary, Mumford, Watkin, Richards, Durkan

Referee: M Ryan (Lancashire)