Rene Howe scored his sixth goal of the season for Diamonds from the spot

Rushden & Diamonds advanced to the first round of the FA Cup by beating local rivals Kettering Town.

Lewwis Spence gave the visitors the lead with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Rene Howe added the second, converting a penalty, after Aaron O'Connor was fouled by Luke Graham.

Captain Jamie Stuart saw red for two bookings, and veteran Poppies striker Paul Furlong nodded in to set up a nervous end to the game for Diamonds.

Kettering Town manager Marcus Law told BBC Radio Northampton:
"Any defeat is not enjoyable. Rushden took their opportunities but we haven't hit the levels we've been working towards.

"The players are very fearful - I don't know if that's down to confidence or not. We let teams get back into the game.

"The possibilities of what this cup competition can give you affected our players."

Rushden & Diamonds manager Justin Edinburgh told BBC Radio Northampton:
"They were contrasting halves, really. We were fantastic with the ball in the first half, and deserved to be two goals to the good at half-time.

"It was a soft sending-off but in the second half, we were (defensively) outstanding.

"Max Porter and Shane Huke are unsung heroes. They are integral players, they never get ruffled and they are team players."

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