ANOTHER AWAY DEFEAT PRIMES VALLEY FOR RELEGATION BATTLE

Photo: Martin Pulley

Valley stopper Andrew Stevens was in inspirational form against Clevedon but his teammates could not take advantage at the other end.

Rugby Town were firmly dragged into the relegation dog-fight with a 1-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Clevedon Town.

After an eventful, end-to-end game Clevedon grabbed the crucial and decisive goal with just over ten minutes to play to the delight of their players, management and supporters who knew the significance of winning the game.

The result meant that the Seasiders made it three wins from their past five unbeaten streak putting them five points behind Rugby while Valley are currently going in the opposite direction with just one win from twelve.

Valley boss Tony Dobson made three changes from the Gloucester game with Tom Breward, Stephan Morley and Jason Turner returning to the starting line-up, while Matt Gearing had a place on the bench after missing the trip on Wednesday.

Rugby started brightly and found room in behind the host's defence early on although David Kolodynski's attempted lob was easily saved by Danny Greaves after the striker was put through on the angle.

Greaves was also on hand to make a smart save from David Staff's curling 25-yard free kick.

Meanwhile, Rugby goalkeeper Andrew Stevens was in inspired form throughout the ninety minutes to keep the visitors in the game.

A brilliant full stretch clawing save to his left kept out a shot from the edge of the area among Clevedon's first half chances.

Turner came close before Scott Musgrove fired over from 12 yards after good work on the right by Kolodynski.

The home side looked increasingly dangerous from set pieces as the game progressed with several big targets to aim for in the box and Rugby had to concentrate to keep the threat to a minimum.

Stevens made another top drawer save, keeping out a goalbound close range header.

Valley's best chance of the first half was presented to Kolodynski after Turner's flick-on but the young striker could not get the ball under control with only the goalkeeper to beat and was eventually forced wide.

The second half followed much the same pattern with chances flowing for both teams.

Dave Pearson smashed an effort over the bar from 15 yards while Kolodynski came closest when his neat turn and shot flew just past the post.

Stevens made two remarkable saves again in the second half, one of which looked a certainity to ripple the back of the net after a goalmouth scramble, only for Rugby's number one to scoop the ball from danger.

Rugby's best chance was presented with fifteen minutes remaining.

Clevedon keeper Greaves received a gash to his leg in a challenge with Turner and with him out of action, Valley did not capitalise as the referee decided to continue play.

Moments after the collision, the ball fell to substitute Gearing who directed his effort at the keeper-less net straight at the covering defender on the goal-line whose apparent use of a hand was ignored by the referee.

Goalkeeper Greaves was forced from the field meaning defender Lee Molyneaux took over the gloves and performed expectionally, especially when dealing with crosses.

Inevitably, it was a Clevedon set piece that won the day with a swirling corner to the back posted headed home unmarked by centre back Loxton.

Valley searched for an equaliser in the final ten minutes with the best chance falling to substitute Jason Taylor whose headed attempt was cleared off the line following a corner.

The game became more and more stretched towards the final minutes as Clevedon hit Rugby on the break and could have extended their lead while Valley looked for a break or bounce to go their way at the other end but it was not to be.

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

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

Report by RTFC Online.