KOLO COMES OFF BENCH TO RECOVER POINT

Goalscorer David Kolodynski tussles for the ball during the second half at The New Eyrie

It was another draw from another dogged Valley away performance on Saturday, with sub David Kolodynski earning his side a point with his 72nd minute equaliser at the Eagles' New Eyrie ground.

Rugby had fallen behind to an early Bedford goal after just 7 minutes, with home striker Michael Lyon credited with providing the final touch after keeper Martyn Margarson had spilled the initial long free-kick.

The game was an even contested encounter throughout between two young sides challenging just below the play-off zone in the BGBL Premier Division.

Clear cut chances were few and far between though, with David Stone's effort from 25 yards on the half hour mark flying just over the crossbar representing the visitors' best chance of the first half.

The arrival of Kolodynski early in the second period definitely provided a positive impact for Billy Jeffrey's side, and Eagles' keeper Andrew Stevens had to produce a superb save to keep out the teenager's long range strike - not long after his introduction into the game.

From the resulting corner by Scott Musgrove, Tom Breward headed wide from a good position, but fortunately Kolodynski's natural finishing instincts did the trick not long after, when he flicked home David Staff's whipped-in free-kick.

Valley were lucky to escape a minute later, when the dangerous Johnathan Woolf appeared to be brought down in the penalty area by Delroy Gordon - but the referee waved away a strong appeal from the home side.

The last quarter an hour of the game was a tight, tense affair - with both sides pushing forward in search of what proved to be an elusive winner.

In the end, the final score was probably a true reflection of the overall balance of play though, and Rugby extended their unbeaten run away from Butlin Road to seven games.

Valley Line-up: Margason 6, Stringfellow 6, Morley 6 (Blake 6), Herbert 6, Gordon 7, Breward 7, Musgrove 5, Bolt 6, Aladetoun 6 (KOLODYNSKI 7*), Stone 6, Staff 7.
Subs not used: Edge,
Booked: Bolt.
Sent Off: None

Report by Jon Venner.