STEELMEN STEAL POINTS

Photo: Martin Pulley

Neil King competes aerially during the first half against Corby at the Rockingham Triangle.

Rugby Town slipped to their first defeat in six and first away loss since October in the opening game of 2009 against Corby Town at the Rockingham Triangle.

Valley went into the game in good form and an excellent record against the Steelmen having won the last four meetings but Corby finally came out on top this afternoon.

In freezing conditions, Tony Dobson made one change with Matt Gearing replacing Brian Woodall on the right flank while Jason Taylor returned to the bench after a spell with Bromsgrove.

The opening exchanges were tentative in the difficult conditions with some areas of the pitch frozen and some soft but it was Rugby who carved out the two best chances of the half.

In form striker David Kolodynski took advantage of a terrible backpass and nipped the ball just past the goalkeeper but the 19-year-old was forced the wrong side of the post and he could only pull the ball across the gaping goal-line with no-one to tap home.

Kolodynski again threatened from the left and cutting inside he saw his curling ten yard effort rebound off the inside of the far post and away to safety.

Corby, coming into the game on the back of a four game losing streak, rarely threatened Andrew Stevens in the Rugby goal but he was called into action to make an excellent stop from a header following a free kick.

The home side got the sucker punch with the very last kick of the first half. A long ball was not dealt with by the Rugby defence and Steve Deggin showed his prowess in front of goal with a smart shot on the turn into the corner of the net.

After the break Rugby applied more pressure but could not find the back of the net.

David Stone's excellent individual run culminated in his roll back along the six yard line being just beyond Matt Gearing while Tom Breward saw his low effort hacked off the line late on.

Valley threw men forward and were hit on the break with Deggin taking the ball around Stevens after another long ball and finding the net despite the efforts of Stephan Morley on the goal-line.

Rugby finished the game with ten players when midfielder Scott Musgrove epitomised the team's frustration with a late and clumsy tackle to earn a second booking.

Tony Dobson and his young side will have felt aggreived to come away with nothing at the end of the game having put in another decent away performance - but again signs are encouraging.

Valley Line-up: Stevens; Nicell, Breward, Gordon, Morley; Gearing, Musgrove, King (Taylor), Purton (Fitzharris); Stone, Kolodynski. Subs not used: Woodall. Booked: Musgrove. Sent off: Musgrove.

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

Report by RTFC Online.