JAZZ Luckie’s goal 12 minutes from time was enough to edge Rugby Town past Gresley and into the second round of the FA Vase.
Valley survived a late scare when Nehemia Zazi’s effort was heroically hacked off the line by Lee Thomas – securing a win which sets up a trip to Midland Football League Premier Division side Newark Flowserve on Saturday, November 2.
Thomas was one of three changes made to the starting line-up alongside Lewis Hayden and Justin Marsden for a game in which Gresley’s Ben Healey almost took advantage of Rugby’s slow start when sending a shot just past Matt Hill’s post.
Eventually, Town gained a foothold and had their first sight of goal when Marsden narrowly drifted an effort over the bar from 20 yards out from Luckie’s cut-back.
Carl Adams’ men went close to breaking the deadlock minutes into the second half when Jamal Clarke directed his header on to the post from Seal’s corner.
Clarke was later denied a second time by Gresley custodian Ben Allsop, before Luckie struck the winning goal from Charlie Evans’ low cross.
Rugby return to United Counties League Premier Division action away to Boston Town on Saturday (3pm).
Meanwhile, there was also success for Town’s under-18 side, who progressed into the first round of the FA Youth Cup with a 5-1 victory at Stafford Rangers.
Speaking on the achievement, academy manager Liam O’Neill said: “It was a wonderful result and achievement by the boys on Monday night and I am so proud of how they performed and how clinical they were.
“I believe the draw is on Friday, so fingers crossed we can get a home draw and attract a large crowd to Butlin Road to enjoy the quality of the players we are developing here at the academy.”
