In front of a a slightly disappointing Nene Park crowd of 1,703 on Friday evening, Rushden & Diamonds maintained their play-off hopes, but allowed Crawley Town to battle back to claim a point.
Lee Tomlin put the home side ahead a minute before the end of the first half, but Michael Malcolm`s equaliser just 3 mknutes after the break ensured parity in the end.
Early on Thomas Pinault tested Diamonds` keeper Dale Roberts from 30 yards before providing a cross which Danny Forrest headed just wide.
The hosts struggled to find their best form in the opening period, with Jefferson Louis and Craig Farrell`s efforts failing to trouble Nick Jordan.
Yet, after Lewis Killeen had gone close for the visiting Reds, it was Diamonds who took the lead on the stroke of half-time as the highly-rated Tomlin latched onto a cross from Louis and hammered a left-footed effort into the top corner.
Eddie Hutchinson almost grabbed an immediate equaliser, but Roberts was equal to the midfielder`s curling effort.
However, Crawley did pull level 3 minutes after the interval as Malcolm converted Barry Cogan`s cross.
Tomlin had a chance to restore his side`s lead 2 minutes later, but he was unable to find the target with an effort from the edge of the area.
Forrest then shot narrowly wide for the visitors before Adam Quinn forced Roberts into another save.
Rushden picked up the pace late on, with substitutes Paul Terry and Aaron O`Connor spurning presentable opportunities, but there was to be no winner on the night.
