Elliot Sandy ‘immensely proud’ of eighth-tier Rushden after FA Cup defeat

AFC Rushden & Diamonds boss Elliot Sandy was “immensely proud” of his side despite them exiting the FA Cup after a 4-0 first-round defeat at League One Burton.

Diamonds had a good spell early in the second half after the Brewers had scored twice in the first through Mark O’Mahony and Raphael Borges Rodrigues.

Freddie Findlay forced a good save from Burton goalkeeper Corey Addai before Charlie Webster and Zac Scutt eased the home side through with second-half strikes.

“It is a feeling of immense pride,” said Sandy, whose side had come through six rounds to make club history. “The lads gave everything.

“Today was all about us as a football club being in the first round for the first time ever with almost 2,000 fans who have had a wonderful day.

“We were under a lot of pressure, but I don’t really think it was a 4-0 game. The last goal in the final seconds makes it look a lot worse.”

Burton head coach Gary Bowyer was happy his side avoided an upset but praised Diamonds on their historic day.

“There have been one or two shocks and the message all week has been that we didn’t want to be a headline for that reason,” Bowyer said.

“We weren’t great and have played much better and could have scored more, but they had a great spell early in the second half and you could sense a goal coming, but they were great and their support was magnificent.”

Will Collar was originally credited with Burton’s opener but it was clarified afterwards that Mark O’Mahony had got his first for the club and it was Borges Rodrigues’ first Burton goal that really put the League One side in control before half-time.

“That was an important goal, to get a second before half-time, definitely,” Bowyer added.

“We wasted some good chances by either taking an extra touch or not playing somebody in, but it’s about getting through and four goals and a clean sheet was important for us today.”