Stone became the Diamonds assistant manager in February 2009

Rushden & Diamonds assistant manager Michael Stone says the club is making significant progress in the Blue Square Premier this season.

Diamonds players and club staff were left rueing a slender 1-0 defeat by league leaders Oxford on Tuesday.

Stone told BBC Radio Northampton: "It says how far we've come to be so disappointed with the result.

"If Oxford and Stevenage are the best two in the division, we can't be doing badly if we're not far off."

The defeat at the Kassam Stadium was the Diamonds' third match in seven days, having beaten Eastbourne Borough and second-placed Stevenage.

Diamonds face Mansfield on Saturday.

"We need to get through the weekend, get something positive and then we have a full week's recuperation before Kettering," said Stone.

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