PEARSO DOUBLE STEALS POINT

Dave Pearson's double, including a 93rd minute equaliser, helped Rugby Town to secure a valuable smash-and-grab style point away to high fliying Brackley Town.

Valley took an early lead after starting well but Brackley piled on the pressure throughout the game and had it not been for the goalkeeping of Andrew Stevens the home side could have been out of sight after taking the lead in the second half.

The visitors kept themselves in the game and Pearson popped up with the vital goal with virtually Rugby's first effort of the second half.

An injury crisis hit Tony Dobson's squad prior to the game with Craig Herbert, Tom Breward, Liam Nicell and Jason Taylor all ruled out meaning a return out of retirement for fans' favourite Andy Commander at centre half while Marcel Simpson filled in at right back.

Valley started well and a good move on the slippery surface opened up the Saints defence for Rugby to take advantage.

Striker Jason Turner found space down the left and delivered an excellent low cross for Pearson to slide home from close range.

The visitors kept up the good play early on and threatened through Matt Gearing, Turner and Pearson in behind the defence.

However, Brackley got themselves in the game and got their reward just after the half hour mark.

Gearing made an error with judgement when trying to shield the ball out of play allowing Tom Winters to steal the ball and cross for Elliot Sandy to climb highest to head home from eight yards.

Brackley were certainly in the ascendency and hit the woodwork twice in the first half while Ben Mackey missed a great chance when clean through on goal.

The second half was one-way traffic with Brackley having all the play and numerous chances.

Mackey, Danny Spencer and Winters all spurned chances while Stevens made three spectacular saves to deny Spencer and Winters, despite picking up a troublsome injury.

Brackley did take the lead from another deep cross, this time a corner with Sandy on hand to tap the ball into the net after heading the initial cross down to his feet.

Against all the play, Rugby got a last minute free kick inside the Brackley half and got the surprise equaliser.

Stephan Morley's floated ball was nodded down by Commander and fell to the feet of Pearson who shot low into the net on the turn.

Valley Line-up: Stevens; Simpson, Commander, Gordon, Morley; Gearing, Musgrove, King, Staff (Melvin); Pearson, Turner (Kolodynski). Subs not used: Purton. Booked: None. Sent off: None.

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

Report by RTFC Online.