JORDAN Wilson scored the winner on his return to the Rugby Town starting lineup as Valley twice came from behind to beat Desborough Town 3-2 and remain top of the table.
Wilson completed the turnaround on 68 minutes after goals from Dan Summerfield and David Kolodynski had earlier drawn Rugby level at Waterworks Field.
The result means Valley now hold a four-point lead at the top of the United Counties League Premier Division South table.
And Rugby should have taken the lead after just four minutes when Wilson was sent clean through on goal by Alex Lock’s searching header only to shoot wide of Adam Honour’s goal.
However, Desborough made the deserved breakthrough on 33 minutes when Matt Hill was unable to hold Luca Miller’s inswinging corner from the left and the ball somehow made its way over the line.
Wilson shot wide shortly after before the crossbar came to Rugby’s rescue when another Miller corner was met by Adam Randall who hit the woodwork as Valley scrambled the ball clear.
The visitors equalised on 44 minutes when Summerfield finished off Luke English’s low cross at the far post after good work from Kolodynski.
And there was still time for Kolodynski to test Honour with a sweetly struck shot from the edge of the area before the half time whistle was blown.
However, Desborough reclaimed the lead on 56 minutes when Miller’s deflected shot wrong-footed Hill after Valley failed to properly clear their lines.
The visitors drew level for a second time on 64 minutes when English’s cross was slid home by Kolodynski at the near post.
And Valley completed the comeback when Summerfield did well down the left before his crisp delivery was clinically finished by Wilson.
Desborough thought they had snatched a point only to have a goal ruled out for offside before Thomas made a superb goal-saving tackle to ensure Valley went home with the points.
Rugby are next in action at home to AFC Wulfrunians on Saturday, November 12 in the FA Vase with kick-off at 2pm at Butlin Road.
