But ultimately it was their failure to convert more than one of a host of chances that cost them the chance to claim all three points from an entertaining clash.
Steve Torpey's thunderbolt midway through the first half had given Chris Wilder's side a deserved lead but they carved out other opportunities before and after the strike.
A combination of wayward finishing and, for the second home game in a row, the brilliance of the visiting keeper, ensured that the Diamonds were never completely out of it.
And when they threw more and more players forward in the dying stages, they eventually got their chance and Simeon Jackson equalised two minutes into time added on.

To view a slideshow of pictures from the game - click here


The Shaymen showed their intent from the start with Jon Shaw, Anthony Griffith and Tom Kearney all sending in early shots.
The first clear cut opportunity arrived in the 12th minute following good work down the left from Steve Torpey. His cross was headed downwards by Danny Forrest but Rushden keeper Paul Bastock dived to his right to save.
Eight minutes later it was an Andy Campbell cross that hung invitingly for Forrest, but he sent his header from eight yards over the top.
It was all Halifax and they eventually broke through after 23 minutes following Phil Gulliver's foul on Campbell.
Kearney and Ryan Toulson worked the free kick routine and Torpey supplied the shot - a rocket that arrowed into the top left hand corner of Bastock's goal.
Two minutes later, a similar free kick on the left saw another Torpey effort blocked.
Rushden's best effort of the opening period came just before the half hour from a long clearance downfield that caused a moment's confusion in the Town defence, but Jon Challinor fired over the top from 18 yards.
Jon Shaw had a 32nd-minute effort blocked and Forrest curled the rebound into Bastock's arms.
And the first half ended with Bastock at centre stage as he produced a miraculous save to deny Campbell whose well struck volley from a deep Torpey corner was destined for the roof of the net.
At that stage there was only going to be one winner and the game continued in similar fashion after the break.
Cortez Belle got up well to meet a Torpey corner, but headed wide of the target.
And moments later it was Bell's long ball forward that allowed Campbell to go through on goal, but his left-foot shot was beaten away by the keeper.
Having denied Campbell in the first half with a wonder save, Bastock saved his side for the second time from the resulting Kearney corner when he managed to get his hands to Belle's goalbound header, although how much he knew about the save is unclear.
Opposite number Craig Mawson was not called into meaningful action at the other end until the 55th minute when he dived to his right to tip Lee Tomlin's well struck effort over the bar.
But Town went back up to the other end and, after Kearney had won the ball back on the right, Ryan Toulson crossed for Shaw whose header bounced down and wide of the left hand post.
Shaw's flick released substitute Daryl Taylor whose pace took him past the last defender, but Bastock saved again.
Torpey then pulled the ball back from the byline only for Forrest to send his left foot volley narrowly over the top.
And when Jake Wright crossed on from the left Shaw turned well but his effort was deflected over the top for a corner.
Having dominated the opening 80 minutes, Town found themselves pushed back for the final 10 as the visitors committed more and more players to attack.
Former Shayman Martin Foster had a shot blocked and Chris Hope volleyed into Mawson's arms before Tomlin sent a shot goalwards after Jackson's initial shot had been saved by Mawson, but Toulson arrived from nowhere to clear off the line.
It looked like that was going to be Rushden's last chance but four minutes of added time gave them renewed hope and they needed just a couple of them to level when Greg Young's challenge on Simeon Jackson in the area was deemed illegal and the same player got up to beat Mawson from the spot despite the Town keeper diving the right way in a bid to keep the ball out.

STAR SHAYMAN
Jon Shaw may not have been able to extend his goal a game record to six matches since arriving from Burton, but his contribution to another good Town performance cannot be ignored.
Like fellow striker Andy Campbell, he works as hard when Town do not have the ball as when they do and his alertness always gives him an opportunity to pounce on a half chance
Anthony Griffith has what football people like to call 'a great engine'.
There have been few busier central midfield players in a Halifax shirt in recent seasons and he is invariably the man to break up the potential threat from the opposition.
Everyone knows what Steve Torpey can do, and his 23rd minute shot was simply sensational.
He was busy on the left all afternoon and sent over a number of dangerous corners that had the Diamonds defence struggling to clear the danger.
Shaw takes the three points on offer in our season-long competition with Griffith two and Torpey one.

MATCH FACTSHalifax Town: Mawson, Toulson, Quinn, Belle, Wright, Forrest (Young 88), Kearney, Griffith, Torpey (Doughty 84), Campbell (Taylor 55), Shaw. Subs (not used): Bushell, Stamp.
Booked: Wright, Kearney.
Sent-off: None
Goal: Torpey 23.

Rushden & Diamonds: Bastock, Rusk (Kelly 79), Gulliver, Hatswell (Hope 67), Howell, Osano, Challinor, Foster, Tomlin, Jackson, Rankine (Malcolm 46). Subs (not used): Nicholls, Shaw.
Booked: None
Sent-off :None
Goal: Jackson 90pen.

Attendance: 1,384
Referee: C.N Harwood

PLAYER POINTS
Andy Campbell 13, Jon Shaw 13, Steve Bushell 7, Anthony Griffith 7, Tom Kearney 6, Lewis Killeen 5, Cortez Belle 4, Craig Mawson 3, Daryl Taylor 2, Danny Forrest 2, Jake Wright 2, Steve Torpey 1.

YOU SAY
You'd think after 6 years he would learn. Time for a change - Annoyed shayman

Wilder's tactics snatched a draw from the jaws of victory - 3 pigeons drinkers

Never a penalty. We played them off the park and on another day would have won easily - Slim Shaydy

Eight defensive players on the pitch says it all. We still have faith Wilder but won't win anything with those tactics - Ramz.

When will Wilder ever learn? Two more points lost due to his rubbish negative tactics - treacle toffee man

Time to go Wilder. Why defend with 30 mins to go at home? finish the game with 6 defenders on the pitch...you messed it up all by yourself - mark dennis

A draw feels like a defeat as keeper made 2 world class saves and Forrest could have scored 3 on another day. Need to kill teams off - chadders