This latest setback came on the back of the defeat at Grays on Saturday which was equally painful to watch.

This was Wrexham FC's fourth loss in five outings, and the Reds now find themselves in 13th position in the Blue Square Premier table.

Obviously results are disappointing but the manner of the performances has reached new lows.

Wrexham are not clicking as a unit and there seems little cohesion between defence, midfield and attack.

Few decent scoring chances were created, the midfield is not imposing itself on games while the Reds are just shooting themselves in the foot with the defending for some of the goals.

Even the fact that Wrexham went into the game with a decent home record counted for nothing against Rushden last night. As soon as they went a goal down for the ninth time in 11 outings, they just seemed to lack belief and resigned to the fact there was no way back.

Nothing was working and there can be no complaints with the final outcome.

The pressure is building on manager Brian Little following a measly return of just three points from a possible 15.

Little has seen his side record some impressive results this term, but even he must be concerned about how the Reds just seem to be under-performing in every game at the moment.

Expectations were high at the start of the season, but hopes of challenging for promotion are fading as each game passes.

Little made three changes to the starting 11 following the defeat at Grays.

Nat Brown, who made his comeback from injury as a second half substitute on Saturday, replaced Simon Spender in the right-back position.

Sam Aiston was preferred to Neil Taylor on the left of midfield while Michael Proctor was handed a first start of the season in attack, with Simon Brown dropping to the substitutes' bench.

The inclusion of Proctor meant that Shaun Whalley reverted to a right wing role.

Proctor did not take long getting stuck into the action, bringing a routine save out of Alan Marriott after just 15 seconds following Jefferson Louis' flick on.

Rushden were proving to be a real threat when breaking forward, with Rob Wolleaston's effort deflected narrowly wide off Darran Kempson for a corner their first effort, and the visitors took the lead in the 11th minute.

An unchallenged Daryl Clare was allowed to take a touch from Curtis Osano's free-kick and the former Chester City striker volleyed into the bottom corner from 20 yards to cap a brilliantly taken goal.

Wrexham were putting more pressure on themselves with sloppy clearances that Rushden were unable to turn into scoring chances, while decent runs to the by-line from Carl Tremarco and Aiston lacked an end product but gave the Reds hope.

Captain Tom Kearney's 29th minute free-kick was partially cleared and Levi Mackin fired wide from 20 yards, but Wrexham found themselves 2-0 behind after 32 minutes.

Kempson fouled Leon Knight on the left flank and Tremarco, attempting to clear the danger in front of goal, headed Lee Tomlin's free-kick into his own net.

The closest Wrexham came to a goal was when Louis got on the end of a Kearney free-kick two minutes before the break but Marriott turned the ball behind.

Tomlin was not far away from increasing Rushden's lead with a dipping volley six minutes after the re-start, while Whalley tried his luck with a long range drive for the Reds which did not trouble Marriott.

Whalley centred for Louis in the 59th minute but the striker's header was well saved by Marriott who then caught the ball to stop it crossing the line.

Little made a double substitution on 62 minutes with Christian Smith and Simon Brown replacing Mackin and Aiston respectively.

A well marshalled Rushden defence limited Wrexham to a few half chances which failed to hit the target, and the visitors came up with a third goal ten minutes from time.

Tomlin delivered a free-kick from the right and Chris Hope, finding himself in acres of space in the area, planted his header past Ward.
That was the final nail in the coffin and yet another day to forget for Wrexham.