TOWN TUMBLE AT CITY

Photo: Martin Pulley

Kieran Fitzharris smashes home the opening goal on his return to Valley colours

Rugby Town slumped to another league defeat at Cambridge City despite taking a first half lead and a good performance.

The game could have swung either way by the final whistle, but it was the hosts who stole all three points with seven minutes remaining.

Valley started brightly and took the lead when Kieran Fitzharris smashed home after a swift counter-attack on 15 minutes.

Rugby held the lead until half time but Cambridge came out of the traps rapidly for the second half.

After a sustained spell of pressure, the hosts equalised when Theobold headed in from close range following a wind-assisted free-kick and then took the lead when Calliste curled home direct from a 20-yard free kick.

Valley stayed in the game and the introduction of David Kolodynski sparked Rugby into life again. His neat turn and pass found David Stone who showed excellent feet to avoid two challenges before slotting home from the edge of the area.

Rugby had two excellent chances to grab a winner but it was City who dealt the final blow with Smith curling the ball over Clarke.

Valley Line-up: Clarke, Gordon, Purton (Taylor), Breward, Commander, Herbert, Musgrove, Fitzharris (King), Stone, Williams (Kolodynski), Gearing. Subs not used: Stevens, Goodall. Booked: Commander. Sent off: None.

Cambridge Line-up: Barrett, Nunn (Haniver), Chaffey (Krause), Theobald, M.Smith, S.Smith, Neilson, Cambridge, Calliste, Midgley, Spendlove (Roberts). Subs not used: Fuller, Sharp.

Report by RTFC Online.