PNS overcame the predictably stiff resistance of Rushden & Higham on Saturday to grind out a 2-0 win and with it a return to the top of the table.

With Lee Blewett absent the only change to the side that won 6-0 at Kempston the previous week saw Chris Garwell come into midfield and Scott Woods, freshly joined from Deeping Rangers taking his place on the bench alongside Scott Quinney.

PNS made a very quick start, with Karl Gibbs going close with a header after 2 minutes and then latching onto a poor back header, but shooting wide a minute later.

PNS did not have to wait too long to take the lead however. Ali Nyang got past his man down the left hand side and crossed perfectly for Mark Paul to head PNS in front on 10 minutes. The home side failed to capitalise on this fine start and slowly R&H established a foothold in the game. Chances were few and far between with the best effort for the visitors falling to centre half Tom Woods who sent a clear header from a corner over the bar.

Right back Craig Scrivens was supporting Craig Harrower well down the right hand side and PNS were struggling to contain R&H as half time approached. However whilst there were a number of crosses that thrashed across the area, Marcin Lubniewski was not called into serious action at any point during the game as the PNS defence recorded their 10th clean sheet in 15 games this season.

Ian Edge and Ronnie Fortune came on after an hour to replace Nyang and Dave Kilby and PNS missed 3 glorious opportunities to create some breathing space in 5 minutes straight after this through Mark Paul twice and Chris Garwell who saw a shot from 25 yards cannon back off the post.

Just as it seemed that PNS were going to have to settle for a single goal victory, Paul Hill rose well at the far post from a Fortune corner and in the ensuing melee Edge volleyed home number 2 just 9 minutes from time.

There was still time for PNS to have a couple of chances to add to the score cleared off the line, but that would have been unfair on R&H who showed why they had lost only 1 game before this encounter and will be a tough nut to crack for everyone in this division.