MIKEY Taylor’s first-half goal earned Rugby Town a 1-0 win and local bragging rights against rivals Racing Club Warwick.
Taylor’s 16th-minute strike proved decisive at Butlin Road as Valley stretched their unbeaten run to three matches.
That came after Trey Charles scored a brace as Rugby twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Sutton Coldfield Town at Coles Lane.
The results mean Rugby sit fifth in the Northern Premier League Midlands table.
Valley boss Carl Adams made six changes for the derby clash with Warwick with Trey Charles, Tayo Tucker and Ryan Sahota all ruled out while David Kolodynski, Chris Clements and MJ Semahimbo made their first starts of the season.
The visitors dominated the opening half-hour only for Rugby to break the deadlock when Kolodynski found Taylor in the box and the latter’s first time shot rolled out of the reach of former Valley goalkeeper Sam Lomax.
Valley saw out the game in the second half and almost added a second goal only for Kolodynski’s superb volley to come back off the inside of the post.
That came after Rugby battled to an entertaining draw at Sutton Coldfield Town as Charles netted another brace.
Sutton took the lead on 13 minutes when Ryan Edmunds scored from the penalty spot only for Charles to equalise six minutes before the break from Tucker’s through ball.
The home side reclaimed the lead on 49 minutes as Cameron Collins ghosted into the box to score.
However, Valley rescued a point on 76 minutes when Charles scored from the penalty spot following a handball in the box.
Rugby are next in action away at Barton Town on Saturday, August 31 in FA Cup First Round Qualifying with kick-off at 3pm at the Easy Buy Stadium.
