RUGBY Town suffered another blow in their fight against relegation following a 1-0 defeat away at Corby Town.
A first-half strike from Jordon Crawford settled the contest at Steel Park as Valley saw their winless run in the league stretch to 10 matches.
The result leaves Rugby rooted to the bottom of the Northern Premier League Midlands table with the club seven points from safety with five matches left to play.
Corby spurned an early chance inside the first minute as Valley goalkeeper Charlie Woods raced off his line to deny Fletcher Toll the opener.
However, the home side broke the deadlock on 35 minutes when Crawford beat Woods to a loose ball in the box and finished into an empty net after Eunis Lievins flicked a free-kick into the penalty area.
Prior to the goal, Rugby’s Rivel Mardenborough tested Corby shot-stopper Theo Avery with a powerful effort which the goalkeeper gathered at the second attempt.
Valley went close moments before the break as Avery tried to punch a free-kick to safety only for Mardenborough to direct his follow-up effort against the outside of the post from a tight angle.
Chances remained at a premium in the second half as Josh Thomas failed to trouble the Corby goal with a couple of headers from set-pieces.
Corby spurned a chance to double their lead late on as substitute Fran Obiagwu raced clear only for Woods to keep Rugby in the contest.
Valley had one final chance to draw level as Tyler Bruck saw his effort loop into the air and over the crossbar in the last meaningful action of the game.
Rugby are next in action against Anstey Nomads on Saturday, April 4 with kick-off at 3pm at Butlin Road.
