RUGBY Town surrendered a half-time lead in a valiant 2-1 home defeat against high-flying Corby Town.
Valley led at the break courtesy of Micah Edwards’ debut goal just before the half-hour mark at Butlin Road.
However, Fletcher Toll drew the visitors level from the penalty spot on 68 minutes before Callum Milne completed the turnaround for the visitors eight minutes later.
The result means Rugby sit 20th in the Northern Premier League Midlands relegation zone, seven points from safety.
Corby had an early chance to break the deadlock as Rory McAuley headed over from close range.
Debutant Edwards fired Valley into the lead on 26 minutes after he latched onto Chris Clements’ long pass, rounded Ross Durrant and finished into an empty net.
Fellow Rugby debutant Jahvan Davidson-Miller spurned a glorious chance to double the home side’s lead only for Durrant to keep out the striker’s effort from a tight angle when through one-on-one.
Corby ramped up the pressure after the break as Dan Summerfield produced a remarkable goalline clearance to deny Danny Gordon an equaliser.
And Valley goalkeeper Paul Hathaway then made a fine save to keep out Spencer Edwards’ header.
However, the visitors eventually made their pressure count on 68 minutes when Toll scored from the penalty spot after Tyreace Brown fouled Kalern Thomas in the box.
And Corby turned the game on its head on 76 minutes as Milne finished from close range after Hathaway could only parry Tendai Daire’s initial effort.
Valley searched for a late equaliser with Davidson-Miller just unable to connect with substitute Trey Charles’ low cross while the last action of the game saw Summerfield head over.
Rugby are next in action against Coventry Sphinx on Saturday, January 11 with kick-off at 3pm at the Sphinx Industrial Supplies Arena.
