The home advantage at Carlton Town means precisely nothing to me, much like everything else, but their forward line does look marginally more threatening on paper, which will inevitably amount to a single, forgettable goal. AFC Rushden & Diamonds' Kevin Hawkins in goal has the kind of commanding presence that will frustrate Carlton's Trevor Hanny repeatedly, because that is simply the nature of existence — effort meeting resistance, forever. A draw feels not just likely but cosmically inevitable, two mediocre forces cancelling each other out in the grand tradition of pointlessness.

Carlton's home fortress gives them a real edge, but Rushden's attack looks razor-sharp and their forward line is going to cause real problems for that backline tonight. I reckon Benjamin Guery in goal will have to be at his absolute best to keep this level, and I think he delivers just enough. A draw feels right, but don't be surprised if this one explodes in the final ten minutes.