Indeed, so high are the standards set by the Vics manager, that he wasn't completely satisfied with Saturday's performance against the rich kids of the Conference.

"We can play much better than that and the players agree. At half-time Rushden deserved to be in the lead," he said.

"But after the break the lads plugged away and earned the win thanks to a great goal."

The game was witnessed by the second biggest league crowd for more than four years at The Drill Field. It is a fact which underlines the optimism surrounding Gardiner's side.

But the manager himself remains wary: "When I was first appointed I said this team had the potential to be a top six side. But potential counts for nothing, you've got to get the results on the pitch.

"In the last two league games we've beaten who I consider to be the best two teams in the league. Now that is no fluke."

He added: "Nobody is given a chance against Rushden because of the money they have got, but money isn't everything and on Saturday it was our spirit which got the result."

That spirit was typified in the 73rd minute when John Robertson, captain in the absence of Steve Walters, confronted Miguel Desouza after the Rushden striker appeared to punch Mark Birch.

Robertson was booked but Gardiner refused to criticise him: "John was one of the few people who actually saw the incident. He was just sticking up for his teammate and I'm not going to criticise him for that. In fact, that is the kind of spirit I want.

"Unfortunately though, it takes him up to eight bookings and means an automatic ban."

Robertson is likely to keep the captain's armband for the FA Umbro Trophy fourth round clash with Worcester City at The Drill Field on Saturday. Club captain Steve Walters is due to have an operation on a cruciate ligament injury this week and is likely to be out for four weeks.

But the loss of such an influential player doesn't concern Gardiner: "In the past if you took Steve Walters out of the team people would have said 'that's it, there's no chance of beating the likes of Rushden.' But Jamie Webster came in and did a good job. He may not have Steve's awareness but he has got his own attributes."

Steve Walters' absence plus Robertson's impending suspension has given Gardiner a stay-of-execution in terms of trimming his squad. His position has been further eased by news that Derek Ward has asked to go on the transfer list.

Mark added: "We don't want to see Derek go. He's been a good servant to the club but he hasn't been getting in the team and I've told him that when everybody is fit he will not be in the first eleven."

Fit-again striker Carwyn Williams has also been made available for transfer on either loan or permanent basis following the arrival of Nathan Peel from Winsford.

There will be no need for Gardiner to off-load any more players should Ward and Williams leave in the coming months.

Chairman Rod Stitch has revealed that the petition, mentioned above, over the Danebank footpath may be unnecessary.

He said: "The Borough Council has changed its stance a little. I had two productive meetings with somebody from the estates department last week and have written a letter making the council an offer. We will pay for a proportion of the work but I can't reveal the details unless the proposal is accepted. I remain hopeful, though."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.