Goalkeeping coach Alan Hodgkinson and keeper Billy Turley were both formerly at Rushden.

Hodgkinson said: “I wasn’t there that long, about a couple of years.

“It’s a good club, with excellent facilities . . . that was one of the big selling points of Rushden & Diamonds throu-ghout football at that time – good facilities, training areas and stadium.”

One of the most experienced men in the game, Sheffield United legend ‘Hodgy,’ as he is known, says preventing the players from getting nervous is vital if you want to progress through the play-offs.

“I think it proved that when we played Exeter. we were well in front at half-time, 2-0, and then nerves get the better of you. Holding your nerve is the big thing, and being able to control the game.”

l BILLY Turley was between the sticks the only previous time Rushden reached the play-offs.

It was in their first season in the Football League in 2001-2, when, with Brian Talbot their manager, they qualified for the Division 3 play-offs.

After a 2-2 draw at home to Rochdale, Diamonds won 2-1 in the second leg at Spotland to go through to the final on a 4-3 aggregate.

In the final, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Rushden were beaten 3-1 by Cheltenham.

l THE only survivors in the Oxford United side from the 2006-7 play-offs are Turley and midfielder Chris Hargreaves.