RUGBY Borough secured their sixth successive win in all competitions with a 2-1 victory at league leaders and previously unbeaten Real Bedford.
Adam Shaw opened the scoring before setting up Max Proudlock for the winner in the second half as Bedford responded with a late consolation at McMullen Park.
The result means Rugby sit eighth in the Spartan South Midlands Football League Division One table with four games in hand on table toppers Bedford.
The game was played in front of more than 200 fans, whilst Borough were without top scorer Sam Lockley and captain Tom Glasscoe.
And Rugby were ahead after just five minutes when Shaw was released by Proudlock’s strong tackle before finishing underneath the goalkeeper from an acute angle and into the corner of the net.
Shaw spurned a great chance to double Rugby’s lead when he was played in behind the Bedford defence only to blast wide.
Bedford almost drew level when a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area was deflected off the wall and onto the post.
Borough should have extended their lead on the stroke of half time when Gerard McGahey ran clean through on goal before squaring to Shaw who inexplicably hit the crossbar from six-yards out with McGahey’s follow up cleared off the line.
The visitors eventually doubled their lead when Proudlock headed home at the far post from Shaw’s cross.
Borough survived a late onslaught as 17-year-old academy goalkeeper Sam Chalkley made a string of saves despite Bedford scoring a consolation.
Rugby are next in action at home to Langford on Saturday, October 22 with kick-off at 3pm at Kilsby Lane.
