RUGBY Town suffered an agonising 1-0 defeat away at league leaders Spalding United after conceding a late goal.
Valley looked set to pick up a precious point on the road at the Sir Halley Stewart Field only for Spalding’s Glenn Walker to score a fortuitous goal four minutes from time.
And the result means Rugby remain in the Northern Premier League Midlands relegation zone, two points from safety with a game in-hand on Gresley Rovers who sit directly above them in the standings.
Valley withstood long periods of Spalding pressure, limiting the league leaders to few clear-cut chances, before Walker’s attempted cross from the left floated into the top corner.
The visitors almost snatched a point at the death with Jordan Wilson unable to force the ball home from practically on the goalline.
That came after Wilson spurned a glorious chance in the first half, lifting a shot wide of the target when clean through on goal.
And Valley goalkeeper Tomasz Bukowski made a number of fine saves to frustrate the home side before Walker’s late winner.
Rugby are next in action away at Corby Town on Saturday, January 13 with kick-off at 3pm at Steel Park.
