Rushden and Diamonds made a solid start to the Joma South West Challenge Cup with a 5-1 win over Ilfracombe Town tonight.

Max York and Nabil Sherriff gave the Blue Square Premier side a 2-0 lead inside 12 minutes at Marlborough Park.

Robbie Gough pulled one back for the hosts from the penalty spot before Sherriff, and a brace from substitute Sam Smith made the game safe in the second half.

It was Ilfracombe's second 5-1 defeat of the competition and like Monday's match against Shrewsbury Town, they battled well after a slow start.

Aaron O'Connor slipped a fine pass to York who clipped home the opening goal after four minutes.

The Combe defence was caught square again soon after, with Alan Power picking out Sherriff to skip around Steve Oliver and double the lead.

Lee Tomlin then curled a free kick against Oliver's bar before the Western League side responded with their best spell of the game.

A fine move saw Shaun Lewis play a dangerous ball across goal but neither Marc Bettiss or the on-rushing Lee Francis were able to find a finishing touch.

Francis was involved again moments later when his tricky run was halted with a trip from right back Kurt Robinson. Gough made no mistake with the resulting penalty, sending goalkeeper Joe Day the wrong way.

Yet hopes of a revival were ended when Sherriff tucked away his second goal soon after the restart.

Lee Tomlin briefly escaped the attentions of central defender Karl Baggaley, allowing Sherriff the space to pick his spot.

With Rushden well in control, Oliver twice came out to block Sherriff who was started to enjoy the room he was finding against tired defenders.

Smith put the seal on a convincing win with two goals in the final 15 minutes.

He flicked home at the near post after an excellent low cross from fellow substitute Matt Johnson, then bundled in the fifth from close range.

Power was named man of the match after dictating play from central midfield.

Rushden now take on Shrewsbury at Torrington tomorrow night (8pm) to decide who wins group three.

Ilfracombe have a friendly match arranged for Friday evening when they will face either Kilmarnock or Blackpool.

Ilfracombe Town: Steve Oliver, Scott Huxtable, Darren Parish, Karl Baggaley, James Mayne, Mike Hedden, Robbie Gough, Lee Francis, Leon Taswell (Matt Downing 74), Shaun Lewis (Louis Murrell 62), Marc Bettiss (Mark Gilfillan 57). Subs not used: Steve Holland, Ross Middleton, John O'Donoghue, Neil Bettiss, George Gwynn.

Rushden and Diamonds: Joe Day, Michael Corcoran, Kurt Robinson, Alan Power, Jamie Stuart, Shane Huke, Max York, Aaron O'Connor, Nabil Sherriff, Lee Tomlin, Joe Keehan. Subs: Matt Johnson, Dale Roberts, Curtis Osano, Sam Smith, Lewis Spence, Callum Earles.