Rushden 1, Oxford Utd 1

It leaves it with everything to play for on Monday.

A full-bloodied first leg saw the U's go in front in a first half they bossed, but Rushden equalised in controversial circumstances, and had the better of the second half.

So this Nene Park battle ended just as the Blue Square Premier fixture had done - 1-1.

James Constable struck a superb shot on the spin from 15 yards to give United the lead in the 29th minute.

There was considerable controversy over Rushden's equaliser six minutes into the second half because Lee Tomlin had held Adam Chapman back by the arm, under the nose of the referee, in the build-up to to goal.

Paul Terry then spread play to his right and Mark Byrne cut in and drove a shot hight between Ryan Clarke and his near post from ten yards.

It was a sea of yellow behind one goal, with the 2,500 Oxford fans making all the noise and making it seem, to many, almost as though they were at home.

The visiting fans unfurled three enormous flags when the teams emerged from the tunnel.

Chris Wilder decided to go with his 4-3-3 formation, combating Rushden's similar system, with a midfield three of Dannie Bulman, Adam Chapman and Simon Clist, and Matt Green and Jack Midson either side of Constable up front.

"Chris Wilder's Yellow Army" rang out around the ground with the home supporters susprisingly subdued.

It was a sign of the confidence in the visiting team that they played their way out of a tight defensive situation rather than boot the ball long, and it created an early opportunity as Midson headed on for Constable, but he lost his footing.

The grass had been allowed to grow quite long, which Rushden officials suggested was because so many Luton fans invaded the pitch after last Saturday's game, but which, more likely, was to negate Oxford's passing game.

United took the game to Diamonds early on, Green sending a shot wide, and Anthony Tonkin superbly dribbling past two opponents from the left back position.

Green was stopped in his tracks, as he shaped to shoot, by a fierce but fair tackle from Jamie Stuart, the Rushden captain.

It was clear that neither side had any illusions about the importance of the occasion.

The club that wins the play-offs face the prospect of playing the likes of Southend, Wycombe and Bradford next season. Those missing out have the possibility of taking on Alfreton Town.

Referee David Coote blundered by blowing up for a free-kick to Oxford just as Clist, behind him, was in possession with a great chance to break. United's players, unhappy at having an advantage opportunity denied them, were further angered a few minutes later when Simon Downer elbowed Midson in the head, but was shown only a yellow card.

Rushden had some dangerous moments, with Mark Byrne sending in a shot from the edge of the box that Ryan Clarke comfortably saved.

Having started at a high tempo, United they were forcing mistakes from the opposition by closing down at every opportunity.

They could just have done with a goal to have something to show for their control.

And it almost came in the 26th minute when Damian Batt's long throw bounced over Mark Creighton at the near post and Green tried an acrobatic overhead kick inside the six-yard box - but struck it almost too sweetly, and over the bar.

At the other end, Rushden were not far away as Craig Farrell's glancing header drifted two yards wide.

When Constable broke the deadlock in the 29th minute it was a case of 'if at first you don't succeed . . .' because he had miskicked with one attempted shot, as he and Clist seemed to get in each other's way.

But when he had more space a split-second later, he swivelled and hit a brilliant low right-footed shot into the far corner of the goal.

Diamonds stepped it up and enjoyed a strong five-minute spell, but the Yellows weathered that, and then resumed their attacking, with one leading to Bulman sending a shot narrowly wide on the volley.

Both teams were attacking towards their own supporters in the second half wich was only a couple of minutes old when Aaron O'Connor managed to fire in a low shot, some way wide, under pressure.

Rushden's equaliser was a cruel blow because there had seemed such an obvious fould in the lead-up to it.

But United were not going to feel sorry for themselves, and they surged back onto the front foot.

Constable chested back for Midson to fire in a shot, which deflected just wide, and from one of three corners in quick succession, Diamonds keeper Roberts was struggling as he fingertipped the ball over the bar.

Clarke flapped at a corner and Rushden began to pile on more and more pressure, as they broke with increasing menace.

Often Terry was the driving force but Byrne's running also put Oxford's defence under pressure.

The key difference, though, was that Rushden were now sharper to the ball.

United regrouped after Alfie Potter came on, and drove forward again.

Chapman hit a 20-yard free-kick narrowly over and Midson had an acrobatic effort deflect wide.

United saw off the four minutes of stoppage time, and their fans returned to Oxford generally pretty happy.