A defensive display full of grit and determination secured maximum reward for ten-man Rushden & Diamonds in the Blue Square Premier`s only game of Wednesday night at the Glassworld Stadium against Histon.
Nicky McNamara was sent-off on his first start since the opening day of the season following a two-footed lunge on Lee Smith.
That came after Lee Tomlin's penalty awarded for a trip on Aaron O'Connor and Diamonds again showed strength all over the pitch to hold off Histon.
In the absence of Paul Terry through suspension, Tomlin took over spot-kick duties again on 10 minutes as he found the corner beyond keeper David Knight's dive to his left.
Tomlin's goal restored Diamonds as the top scorers away from home in the Blue Square Premier and ended a spell of 194 minutes without finding the back of the net.
Only the second away clean sheet in the last four months meant overall that Diamonds have not conceded in open play for 551 minutes.
It was never going to be easy but Justin Edinburgh's side certainly proved their credentials for a top-five finish, and this win slipped them above Luton Town and into fourth place.
