MASSIAH McDonald scored the winner on his home debut as Rugby Town battled to a much-needed 1-0 win against Harborough Town.
McDonald’s first-half strike proved decisive at Butlin Road as a solid defensive effort ensured Rugby went home with the points.
That came after Valley suffered a 2-0 defeat at league leaders Sporting Khalsa with the visitors beaten by two first-half goals at Noose Lane.
The results mean Rugby sit 14th in the Northern Premier League Midlands table after five matches.
Against Harborough, Valley took the lead on 22 minutes when McDonald pounced on Alex Morris’s poor backpass to slot the ball between the legs of onrushing visiting goalkeeper Elliott Taylor.
And only a series of crucial blocks kept Harborough at bay with the visitors unable to find an equaliser despite creating a number of scoring chances.
That came after Rugby lost at Sporting Khalsa last weekend as Curvin Sanderson-Ellis and Tesfa Robinson struck in the opening half an hour.
Khalsa led on 11 minutes as Sanderson-Ellis produced a clinical finish after he was slipped in following a loose pass in the Valley defence.
And the home side doubled their lead on 25 minutes as defender Robinson fired a shot through the body of Valley goalkeeper Matt Hill.
That result extended Rugby’s losing run to three matches before victory against Harborough on bank holiday Monday.
Rugby are next in action at home to Barwell on Saturday, September 2 in the FA Cup with kick-off at 3pm at Butlin Road.
