Rugby boss Billy Jeffrey was a satisfied customer after seeing his young side hold out for an excellent goal-less draw against likely promotion contenders Team Bath.

	Delroy Gordon (above) has been in inspired form at the heart of Valley's defence along with Aaron Stringfellow & Craig Herbert

Team Bath dominated for long periods but Rugby's defence held strong and restricted their host to only a handful of opportunities.

The game was played out in roasting conditions at Twerton Park and Billy was pleased with his players' work rate and fitness levels:

"We're very pleased with the result, and we battled hard against a good team - who I have no doubt will be in the top three or four at the end of the season.

"It is particularly encouraging that we still looked strong in the final twenty minutes against a side that virtually trains full-time.

"We could have even sneaked it late-on, as Delroy (Gordon) had a great opportunity with a header. We also got the luck we needed when the referee spotted the push on Matty (Gearing) in the final minute.

"He blew very early and I thought he was signalling for a goal, so it was a massive relief when it was confirmed he had disallowed it.

"We suffered a few times when similar decisions went against us last season, so it's good to get one going our way for once."

Since the 3-1 reversal against league leaders Hemel Hempstead, Billy's new look defence have conceded just three goals in the last four games including two clean sheets against top quality opposition.

Aaron Stringfellow has seemingly taken like a duck to water to his new role at left centre half and has put in some excellent performances while Delroy Gordon and Craig Herbert have also been playing well and Billy recognises this:

"The three lads at the back seem to have gelled as unit since we changed things around a bit, and they defended extremely well again on Saturday."

With Faz Afandiyev leaving the club and injury to Alessandro Barcherini, 19-year-old reserve goalkeeper Simon Lynn was thrown in at the deep end against King's Lynn on Bank Holiday Monday but has since produced a string of solid performances:

"Simon has come in and made a good impression too. He has played four games and we have stayed unbeaten. He is a sensible lad, and knows that he still has a lot to learn, but he has looked confident and made some outstanding saves."