By Mark Taylor
October 25 2002

Rushden and Diamonds will look to bounce back from another humiliating cup defeat against a rejuvenated Hull City now managed by former Leicester and England U-21 international manager Peter Taylor. Rushden fell to a 4-0 defeat on Tuesday at the hands of Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium. They will have to improve away form to stand any chance of returning to Northamptonshire with all three points from a side that have won their last two games following the arrival of Taylor.

Diamonds could be without influential duo Billy Turley and skipper Paul Underwood who are both rated 50-50 after missing out in midweek. Gary Setchell and Adam Sollitt, who had a sound debut on Tuesday despite conceding four, are set to deputise if needed. Youngster John Dempster is likely to be involved in the centre of defence because of the absence of Barry Hunter due to suspension.

Taylor has successfully buoyed his Hull troops and will be expecting a third successive win. In this encounter last year Diamonds went down 2-1 with a consolation Ritchie Hanlon.

Prediction – RDFC 2-1 HCFC

Probable line-up-

Turley
Underwood (c)
Mustafa
Dempster
Peters
Gray
Mills
Wardley
Hall
Lowe
Darby