It took until the start of the second half for Rushden to get a shot on target, going even closer to levelling the scores when Paul Hall’s 58th minute strike rebounded back into play off the inside of the far post.
Despite the relentless second half pressure, Holloway was pleased with his sides resolve, and ability to see away the danger of a forward line that he rates as one of the more potent in the Second Division.
“It was a very difficult game. Goal wise they were just behind us and Plymouth – we spoke about them going forward all week.
“Day’s like this you hope you’re not going to get punished at the other end. At times like that you need your Forwards, Midfielders, and Defenders to do their work. That’s two clean sheets in two weeks – and I like that.
“I felt that Nick (Culkin) was unfortunate to be left out at Oldham. We now have some real competition amongst our ‘keepers. Daisy has had a few less than good games – but he did what we pay him for today.”
The Rangers manager was also pleased with the performance of returning striker Paul Furlong – but was mindful of the disappointment that inform striker Tony Thorpe was enduring, having been excluded from Ollie’s squad only an hour and a half before kick-off, due to injury.
“Tony Thorpe was very unlucky to miss out. He headed in one from a corner at training on Friday and then ran around the back of the net – and pulled the muscle just above his heel.
"It was disappointing for Tony – he’s been in cracking form and scoring goals. But Furs was good today. He used his strength well and held the ball up.”
With Plymouth Argyle running out 7-0 winners today over Chesterfield, the win continues the points-pressure on the Pilgrims at the top of the table. However, Ollie still believes his Rangers squad is short of where they should be at this time of the season.
“We are four points behind the leaders. We should have 50 points at this stage of the season, and I’m not happy that we don’t.
“I want us to realise what it takes to be the best. We have to defend as a unit, and break as a unit.
“It was a very big win for us after only getting one point from six before the Colchester match. Plymouth might have won 7-0 today – but they only get three points – the same as us.
“There is more to come from this Rangers side. There is more attack that we can build. We need to work on our counter attack. Today it didn’t come – so we have plenty to work on.”