Cheltenham Town failed to make the most of their chances as they fell to a single goal defeat at Nene Park this afternoon.
The Robins enjoyed a large share of the possession and carved out a number of promising opportunities but were undone by a scrambled goal from Frenchman Jean-Michel Sigere two minutes into the second half.
Julian Alsop took Neil Grayson's place in the team, the veteran striker having failed to recover from a groin strain, while new loan signing Lee Williams was named on the bench.
Cheltenham made a bright start and Alsop went close to scoring twice in the first five minutes. Martin Devaney and Tony Naylor combined to set him up for a chance that was only thwarted by a brilliant last-ditch tackle by Mark Peters.
The resulting corner from Russell Milton landed right on Alsop's head but Diamonds goalkeeper Billy Turley flew to make an acrobatic save.
The Robins were dominating the match at that stage and Russell Milton sent one shot inches wide, but things began to go Rushden's way from the 27th minute.
It was at that point they created their first real chance when Sigere got free in the box. He was challenged by Richard Walker but the Cheltenham defender was injured in the tackle and had to leave the field to be replaced by Keith Hill.
Diamonds slowly began to find strength and cohesion, hauling themselves back from a slow start with some committed tackling and hard running off the ball.
Steve Book made blocks from both Simon Wormull and Scott Partridge before Richie Hanlon lifted the ball over the bar with only Book to beat from close range.
The home team's improvement came to fruition two minutes after the break although it was a scrappy goal that eventually decided the match.
Wormull crossed from the right, Hanlon had a shot blocked and Andy Burgess followed up with an effort that was saved by Book. The ball ran free to the far post, Hill tried to get it clear but the ball cannoned back towards goal off Sigere and Book was unable to keep it out of the net despite a desperate attempt.
Partridge shot over the bar from eight yards out and Naylor found himself clean through with only Turley to beat but the former Evesham United goalkeeper spread himself to block at his feet.
Cheltenham increased the intensity of attacks in the closing stages and laid siege to the Rushden goal for long periods. Alsop in particular proved very difficult for the defence to handle but too often the final ball into the box was a little too easy for the defence or goalkeeper to deal with.
New loan signing Lee Williams replaced Russell Milton, whose thigh strain flared up again, and the Mansfield winger sent over a series of promising crosses although once again the Diamonds defence managed to hold out to end their run of seven games without a win.
RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS: Turley; Sambrook, Peters, Hunter, Underwood (Rodwell 90); Wormull (Brady 73), Hanlon, Butterworth, Burgess; Partridge, Sigere (Duffy 86). Subs not used: Mills, Pennock.
CHELTENHAM TOWN: Book; M. Duff, Banks, Walker (Hill 27), Victory; Devaney (Brough 84), Yates, Howells, Milton (Williams 60); Alsop, Naylor. Subs not used: Howarth, Muggleton.
REFEREE: W.M. Jordan (London)
ATTENDANCE: 4,116