It proved to be a disappointing day for both sides with Rushden & Diamonds being relegated and Port Vale failing to gain a place in the Division Two play-offs despite winning 2-0.
Rushden started well and on two minutes David Bell was inches over with a fierce shot from the edge of the box and minutes later Jonn Brain in the Vale goal did well to deny Bell again.
On 13 minutes Vale took the lead when Steve McPhee beat the offside trap when he picked up a fine through ball by Michael Cummings and he slotted coolly past Billy Turley.
On 18 minutes Leo Roget should have equalised for Rushden when he headed wide when unmarked following a cross by Bell.
Rushden had plenty of the play, but were unable to create clear cut chances against a resolute Vale defence.
In the 38th minute Rushden put a fine move together, but Rodney Jack's cross evaded the oncoming forwards.
On 42 minutes Steve Brooker almost put Vale further ahead when his shot from the edge of the box, hit the inside of the post and rebounded to safety.
On the stroke of half- time Ritchie Hanlon almost deceived Brain with a speculative shot from 30 yards out.
Vale started the second half strongly and Mark Bridge-Wilkinson saw his shot rebound off the bar in the 48th minute.
Rushden skipper had a great chance to equalise in the 62nd minute, but his left-foot volley went inches over.
On 67 minutes, Stuart Gray was again the culprit when he shot wide from just ten yards out. Vale always looked dangerous and Brooker tested Turley with a well struck shot on the edge of the box.
Vale finished the match strongly and on 86 minutes McPhee hit the inside of the post again and a minute later he took advantage of a Barry Hunter mistake and took the ball round Turley, but his shot again struck the post.
The striker was not to be denied and on 90 minutes he put the game beyond doubt when he coolly lobbed over Turley from ten yards out.