Rushden gained a narrow victory over Exeter to maintain their push for promotion and also give themselves a chance of winning the Championship outright.
Exeter remain at the bottom of the table but they were extremely unlucky not to go away from the game with at least one point.
The Grecians had a great chance in the first minute when Kwane Ampadu shot over when unmarked after a fine cross from James Coppinger.
In the early stages Exeter looked the better side and Sean Devine tested Billy Turley with a fierce shot from the edge of the box.
On 15 minutes Onandi Lowe went close with a header following a corner from Stuart Gray.
Rushden began to put more pressure on the visiting defence and on 21 minutes a good move involving Lowe and Gray ended with Duane Darby shooting straight at Kevin Miller.
Darby was in the thick of the action in the 27th minute when he turned well in the penalty box but Miller did well to come out of his goal and smother his shot.
Exeter were unlucky in the 38th minute when the impressive Justin Walker saw his superb free-kick strike the crossbar.
On 42 minutes Miller produced a fine one-handed save to deny Lowe after the striker had hit a superb shot from the edge of the box.
Two minutes into the second half Scott Hiley was a relieved man when he saw his intended clearance strike the crossbar.
On 53 minutes Rushden had an excellent chance when Darby beat the offside trap but was again denied by a brave save by Miller.
Four minutes later the home side took the lead when Andy Edwards flicked on an Andy Burgess corner and Darby was on hand to head home from five yards out.
Steve Flack almost grabbed an equaliser six minutes later when he saw his shot go inches over after the ball had been squared back by Coppinger.
And on 72 minutes Devine turned well inside the box and shot against the bar.
Despite several nervy moments Rushden held on to gain maximum points despite the spirited efforts of the visitors.
HASH(0x8caefbc)