ANOTHER LATE GOAL, MORE LOST POINTS

Rugby Town lost out again to another stoppage time winner, this time against local rivals Banbury United at the Spencer Stadium.

Valley were left to contemplate what could have been after missing two golden chances to win this game before eventually succumbing to the last-minute sucker punch from hosts.

Liam Nicell missed a late penalty before top scorer David Kolodynski inexplicably missed the target in front of an open goal - both chances could easily have been enough to take all three points.

Rugby boss Tony Dobson made no changes from the side that drew with Yate on Saturday and again Valley started very slowly, allowing the hosts to take the initiative.

Banbury were soon ahead when a catalog of errors culminated in centre back Tom Breward being isolated and beaten down the right before a perfect cross was impeccably finished by winger Lewis Travers with his head from 12 yards.

Valley were failing to keep possession or win any battles in midfield and Banbury continued to dominate the opening stages and could easily have extended their lead.

Rugby's best chance of the half came when Kolodynski turned sharply in the area before seeing his low strike beat the keeper only for a covering defender to keep the effort out.

The second half saw the visitors up the tempo and take the game to Banbury.

Valley got their deserved equaliser in style when, after a deep free kick, Breward teed the ball up for Matt Gearing who drove the ball sweetly into the net to equalise.

Rugby continued to press and dominated the second period with substitute Kieran Fitzharris spurning a good oppurtunity from David Stone's excellent lay-off.

A chance to take control of the game came Rugby's way with ten minutes remaining as Kolodynski was bundled over in the box by Banbury goalkeepr Joe Morrell and a penalty was awarded.

Nicell, who was on target from the spot on Saturday against Yate, could not repeat the trick and Morrell redeemed himself with a smart save to his left.

However, an even better chance was to present itself for Rugby with just minutes remaining.

Stone was released through on goal and after committing the goalkeeper on the edge of the area he rolled the ball perfectly into the path of the onrushing Kolodynski who contrived to roll the ball wide of the empty net with the visiting fans already celebrating what seemed a certain goal.

The worst was still to come for Rugby as Banbury plucked up the energy to make an attempt at the Valley goal when a soft free kick was awarded against Delroy Gordon.

The ball was floated deep into the box and after it had been half cleared, Scott Bridges somehow scuffed the ball through the bodies in the box past an unsighted Andy Stevens and into the net to win the game for the Puritans.

Valley Line-up: Stevens; Nicell, Breward, Gordon, Morley; Gearing (Fitzharris), Musgrove, King, Staff (Taylor); Stone, Kolodynski. Subs not used: Taylor, Simpson, Purton. Booked: Kolodynski. Sent off: None.

Banbury Line-up: TBC. Subs not used: TBC.

Report by RTFC Online.