Akurang is on loan from Barnet, where he's scored 10 goals

Rushden assistant manager Michael Stone says his players must perform well in every game to stay in the side.

Diamonds have lost one and drawn two of their opening league games in the Blue Square Premier.

Stone told BBC Radio Northampton: "Each player has to earn the right to retain the shirt.

"They won't be given the opportunity of two or three games to turn form around. When they're out there on the pitch, they have to do the business."

Striker Cliff Akurang scored the Diamonds' first goal of the season against Eastbourne Borough at the weekend.

But Stone is keen to see his side score more goals from the chances they have created in all three games.

"We think that we're solid defensively. No team has run us ragged at the back. We need to match that solidity at the back with converting more opportunities up front," he added.

The next two games are a chance for six points, and we want to make Nene Park a fortress Michael Stone

"We're creating opportunities and now it's about confidence. The manager feels we have the quality in the squad to score goals, 75% of training [on Monday] was devoted to finishing. "

The Diamonds, who have picked up two points so far, next host Hayes & Yeading on Tuesday (kick-off 1945 BST) and Forest Green on Saturday.

"If we can win our home matches, and pick up a point away from home, then we're going to be in a favourable position at the end of the season," added Stone. "The next two games are a chance for six points, and we want to make Nene Park a fortress."

Defender Kurt Robinson remains a doubt for those matches.

"Kurt took a whack in the York game," said Stone. "And he's still struggling slightly. It'd be silly to force someone through a pain barrier to play, this early in the season."

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