Colin Walker’s men have lost just once in their last 18 games and proved too strong for the Diamonds today, with defender Danny Parslow heading the crucial goal after only a quarter of an hour.
After a tentative start in swirling wind, the visitors took the lead when Nicky Wroe’s fierce corner was met by the head of Parslow to record his first goal of the season.
There were five goals when the sides met in the Conference Premier back in August and, with the visitors eager to add to their early lead, Wroe warmed the palms of Rushden 'keeper Paul Bastock with a number of speculative efforts.
Scoring goals has not been a problem for Walker’s side since the former New Zealand international took the reins. However, the Minstermen had to be careful not to surrender their advantage with several defensive errors.
Rushden offered little in attack but nevertheless should have been level on 37 minutes, when Michael Rankine stole into the box yet failed to hit the target from nine yards, preserving the visitors’ lead at the interval.
The game opened up in the second half with both goalkeepers called into action, making smart saves in a flurry of activity after the re-start.
York could have doubled their lead but for the assistant referee’s flag. Sodje thought he had settled the tie with half-an-hour remaining only to have his header ruled out for offside.
Rushden piled on the pressure in the closing stages, but a combination of woodwork and solid defending saw Walker’s side safely through.