Swansea City 1 Rushden & Diamonds 0

Kevin Nugent's 36th minute header kept Swansea's challenge at the top of the division well on course as Kenny Jackett's side beat Rushden & Diamonds.

Martinez wins the ball....

Despite a spirited second-half fightback by the visitors, the Swans defence held firm and it is now only five goals conceded from their ten matches to date.

The home side took time to settle and all they had to show during the first 20 minutes was an early Lee Trundle shot that was safely gathered by Billy Turley.

Ten minutes before the break Trundle flipped a pass inside to veteran striker Nugent but Turley dived to his right to save at the foot of the post.

The Swans went ahead when a Trundle back-heel gave Adrian Forbes room to cross and Nugent nipped inside Phillip Gulliver to net his second of the season.

Swansea should have doubled their lead when just moments later, goalscorer Kevin Nugent squandered a fantastic one-on-one opportunity from the penalty spot - striking the ball straight at Turley's legs.

Jackett's side opened the second half looking for a quick second goal and

Andy Gurney - almost scored from 45 yards!

Roberto Martinez fired in a crisp shot that had Turley diving to his left to push it away.

Former Swindon Town defender Andrew Gurney then tried an audacious 45-yard shot that had the overworked Turley scampering across his goal-line to tip over for an unproductive corner.

This sparked the Diamonds into action and for the first time they pushed the Swans defence back, but apart from a speculative effort by Bell they rarely troubled Gueret in the home goal.

A cross from Andrew Burgess forced Sam Ricketts to head behind for a corner and when the Swans failed to clear Gary Monk had to do the same as Rushden sensed they could snatch a point.

It almost came in the 70th minute when a goalmouth scramble ended with Alex Hay's close-range header flying high over the bar.

Gueret came to Swansea's rescue five minutes later when he stretched full-length to palm behind a firm header from Diamonds skipper Graham Allen.

Diamonds keeper Turley came up for a corner in the final minute and when the ball was cleared Trundle tried a lob from just inside the visitors half but the ball just cleared the crossbar.

The Swans pushed forward in the closing seconds but they were unable to snatch the second goal their overall display deserved. Some scary moments at times - but the meanest defence in the Coca Cola Leagues was not about to buckle.

Finally....three more points!!