Rugby United drew their second game in four days against Nationwide League opposition, both goals coming within a minute midway through the first half.

At sun-drenched Butlin Road, United's squad included defender Andy Commander for his first outing after returning from holiday earlier in the day, but front-runner Robbie Beard, who has recently been suffering with a tight hamstring, was left out as a precaution.

 
Luton, fielding five players with regular first team experience, took the lead in the 28th minute when a rare mistake by United skipper Craig Herbert gifted the ball to Adrian Forbes who easily slotted past goalkeeper Jason Pearcey from close range.

 
However, straight from the restart the visitors were caught out by the pace of Valley striker Justin Marsden who was brought down by chasing Hatters' defender Curtis Davies in the penalty area.

Referee Lever had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Danny Hall stepped up to level the scores by placing his kick just inside the post, well beyond the dive of goalkeeper Rob Beckwith.

Earlier on in the half Luton had looked the more likely to open their account. In the 4th minute Forbes muscled his way between Hall and Herbert to reach Goma's cross, but his header went well wide. Hesitation in the Rugby defence then nearly let in Enoch Showunmi, and Forbes, in front of the Rugby goal, pirouetted to hook a first time effort up and over the bar. In the 24th minute a low deflected shot from the lively Goma wrong footed Pearcey and hit the post. Rugby's best effort came from Marsden in the 13th minute when his surging run ended with a fiercely struck near post drive that cannoned away to safety off the legs of the motionless Beckwith.

The game lost its way after the break as the heat and a flurry of substitutions took their toll. However, Luton missed out on a glorious opportunity to restore their lead in the 56th minute when Goma, picked out by Pary's Okai, did well to create an opening only to follow up with an unconvincing shot that allowed Pearcey to make the save. Late on Matt Judge scooped an effort just over the United bar, before Beckwith flew to his right to grab a well struck effort from Hall. The Rugby mid-fielder then curled a free kick narrowly wide after Pearson had been fouled just outside the box.

 
United Manager Tony Dobson felt his players were feeling the effects of taking on three professional sides in a week. He said, "Although it was another good workout, we looked quite tired by the end today. Our play was a bit jaded and at the back we made a number of uncharacteristic mistakes."

 
Looking forward to this Saturday's last scheduled friendly at Butlin Road against Aston Villa, Dobson continued, "We now have a week to prepare for the Villa game. The intention is to start with the eleven that will probably face Gloucester City in our opening Dr Martens League fixture on August 16."

Rugby United | Pearcey, Moran, Williams, Hart, Herbert, Redgate, Hall, Dutton, Shanahan, Marsden, Melvin, Squire, Pearson, Thompson, Commander, Thomas (GK).

Luton Town | Beckwith, Hillier, Davis, Leary, Davies, Barnett, Goma, Brkovich, Forbes, Showunmi, Okai, Judge, Howell, O'Leary, Brill (GK)