Fireworks evening might still be a few days away but Brett Donnelly's lively Stotfold provided illuminations of their own by coming from behind to beat Rushden & Higham United 2-1.

A last-gasp winner by Devonte Simms clinched the points following Conor Clarke's late leveller, as the Eagles cancelled out Louis McMahon's first half opener for Tyler Merries side.

On a cold but dramatic night in Bedfordshire at the New Roker Park, Donnelly's braves provided the entertainment to keep the impressive crowd of 181 warm, as they staged their thrilling comeback with football that was far too good for humble Step 6.

Yet, despite dominating the opening stages, underlined by their highly-rated new manager's insistence on an intense high press, allied with high-tempo creativity, the home side unexpectedly fell behind.

A long ball from visitors' keeper Kyle Swailes was headed on by bustling No9 Jake Reynolds into the path of McMahon. Without breaking stride, the attacker lifted the ball over onrushing Stotfold keeper Liam Gooch and into the net, to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

While the goal was of excellent quality, the scoreline did not reflect the home side's command of proceedings.

The lively Kade Bagge never let the Rushden backline settle, bolstered by the attacking trident of Clarke, Simms and Temilola Akinbusoye, who all had plenty of chances to put the game out of reach in the opening 45 minutes, long before the drama of the tense, final stages.

Speaking to Nub News after the match, boss Donnelly, who is enjoying being a manager after spells as a No2 at Hitchin Town and Biggleswade Town, said: "We can't keep missing chances. We have to be more clinical. It's been the story of our season.

"People say that we've done well this season – but imagine how much more we could be doing if we put away our chances every week.

"Whenever I praise the boys at half time they come out and do absolutely nothing in the second half.

"But tonight, I said: 'Look, as much as I don't want to praise you, I have to – because that first half performance was as good as you've been. But don't sit back after half time, because we've got a game to win.'"

A look around New Roker Park at the break underlined that this is a progressive club going places. There is a sense of inclusion, solidarity and community, where everyone is invested in their football team.

From the kind Lynn 'Pinky' Paker who wrote out the teamsheet in longhand for this correspondent, to their engaging chairperson Rob Parkin, and his white shock of hair, who joked at 1-0 down that it was lucky he didn't have any more follicles to turn grey, to the excellent development staff and youngsters, many of who were mascots before the game.

The stadium reboot has given the club a new lease of life, with junior and senior teams restructured, allowing more than 700 participants to play football at all ages and all levels.

There is also a sense of continuity among the staff, with fearsome ex player and former development coach Paul Donnelly also one of Brett's trusted lieutenants as assistant manager, alongside Eddie McLoughlin, Michael Parkin and Roy Ryall.

After the interval, it was no wonder this young and talented Stotfold team heeded the instructions of their charismatic manager and staff, even if the on-field fireworks did arrive rather later than hoped for.

As the clock ticked down on a second half dominated by the home side, Clarke finally forced the ball home to make it 1-1.

Codi-Lee Spavins – who came on as substitute after injury had sidelined the club's 12-goal top scorer - played a perceptive ball through the middle which Stotfold's No8 latched onto. Facing Swailes with still much to do, Clarke simply guided the ball round the Rushden keeper, before calmly slotting home into an empty net.

While the strike visibly deflated the previously obdurate away team, the Eagles superior fitness in the final stages of the game was as much key to the dramatic turnaround as the ability to unpick Rushden's backline.

Merries' flagging side had no answer when Stotfold pressed forward in search of the winner, even if moments previously the visitors were lucky to escape from a goalmouth melee.

However, the pressure told eventually, and the Eagles clinched the match with only a matter of seconds remaining. Former Hitchin Town defender Ben Walster showed persistence in flighting over a deep cross from the left flank, despite the attentions of Rushden's Reynolds and substitute, Harry Lawrence.

In a crowded box, Simms ensured he was first to the cross, to angle the ball past Swailes and into the net to make it 2-1 to Donnelly's tenacious team.

While the late goal broke Rushden hearts, it was nothing more than Stotfold deserved for their refusal to accept defeat in an entertaining match.

Speaking afterwards, a delighted Donnelly said: "It was a great result and a great performance. It was fully deserved. I think we played better tonight than we did when we went to their place and won 6-0 earlier in the season.

"As soon as we got the equaliser I thought we had a chance to win the game. It was great to see Codi – who's been our main source of goals – set one up for Dev to level.

"I'm really proud of all the lads. When you think our front four tonight were aged 17, 17, 18 and 19 with a total of six of the team 21 or under. That shows we are building something here at Stotfold."

The club are hosting a fireworks evening on Bonfire Night, but regulars will be fully aware that Donnelly's side light up every game they play these days. With football this good, a £6 admission fee for adults is an absolute steal.

Because, on this performance, table-topping Stotfold certainly are assembling a team to be feared at fortress New Roker Park, under the astute Donnelly's passionate leadership, as they continue to march on at the top of the table.

See Nub News for our in-depth interview feature with Brett this weekend.

LIKE/FOLLOW NUB NEWS ON FACEBOOK HERE