FOOTBALL: RUGBY Town suffered FA Cup heartache on Saturday as Romulus came from behind twice to win with a stoppage time winner.
Valley had twice led – once in each half – but the Northern Premier League First Division South side fought back and claimed a place in the First Qualifying Round with a 94th minute strike.
Rugby had generally played well and looked strong in possession, but they fell victim to the Roms set pieces conceding from a throw-in, free-kick and finally a corner.
David Kolodynski gave Rugby the lead inside 20 minutes when he arrived at the far post to head in his fourth goal of the season from James Dance’s excellent right-wing cross.
Valley manager Dave Stringer would have felt they could have been further ahead at the break with some key missed chances and with Josh Ruff striking the cross-bar.
But it was the visitors who levelled on the hour mark when Cameron Lee rose to nod in a long throw.
The game’s highlight goal came with 15 minutes to go when Liam Holt struck a brilliant dipping volley from 30 yards.
But the visitors were to have the final say as they made their chances pay.
Firstly, with seven minutes remaining, striker Mark Branch got across the front post to glance home a close range header from an in-swinging right wing free-kick before substitute Nathan Waite fired in from close range after a goalmouth scramble in stoppage time to send the Roms into the next round.
Valley Line-up: Cooper; K Rowley (Print), Hall, M Rowley, Harris (Castleton); Holt, Ruff, Holloway; Dance, Wiggins-Thomas, Kolodynski. Subs not used: Ashby, Birch, Shakespeare. Booked: Hall, Dance.
