RUGBY Town ended their pre-season schedule with a 2-0 defeat against higher-division Redditch United.
Grant Joshua continues to run the rule over his new-look squad as goals from a trialist and Danny King condemned Valley to defeat at the Valley Stadium.
The defeat proved Valley’s only loss in pre-season ahead of the club’s competitive opener in the FA Cup against Coton Green this weekend.
Valley almost broke the deadlock against Step Three Redditch inside the first few minutes only for Rivel Mardenborough to miss his kick from 10-yards out.
However, Redditch took the lead on four minutes when a trialist exchanged passes with King before finding the net following a high press.
And the Reds doubled their lead on 24 minutes as King prodded home Harry Eden’s cross at the back post.
Rugby won a penalty on the stroke of half time when trialist goalkeeper Tyrese Warmington brought down Mardenborough in the box.
However, Warmington saved Mardenborough’s spot kick to send Valley into the break two goals behind.
After the break, Eden brought down Mardenborough 25-yards from goal as the last defender but only received a yellow card.
And Valley felt they were then denied a penalty after Ethan Hanson’s header appeared to strike the outstretched arm of Dexter Dudley-Toole
The visitors went close again at the death as Nathan Kabeya saw his effort from 25-yards out saved by Warmington at full stretch.
Rugby begin the season with a trip to Coton Green in the FA Cup extra preliminary round on Saturday, August 2 with kick-off at 3pm at New Mill Lane.
