RUGBY Town saw their four-game winning run in pre-season come to an end following a 2-1 defeat against Bromsgrove Sporting.
Valley pushed their Step Three opponents all the way as Rivel Mardenborough halved the deficit for Valley at Butlin Road.
However, goals either side of the break from Ollie Harrison and Jake Jervis condemned Rugby to a first pre-season defeat.
Sporting broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark when Harrison headed in Jamille Matt’s knockdown after Billy Shaw had earlier hit the crossbar.
The Rouslers had chances to extend their lead as Jervis and Dan Trickett-Smith both saw efforts saved.
However, the visitors doubled their advantage four minutes after the break when Jervis scored from the penalty spot after Shaw drew a foul in the box.
Valley halved the deficit on 67 minutes as Mardenborough lobbed Sporting goalkeeper Tony Breeden from 25-yards out with the home side unable to find an equaliser.
Rugby conclude their pre-season schedule with a home against AFC Rushden and Diamonds on Tuesday, July 21 with kick-off at 7.45pm at Butlin Road.
