ENCOURAGING VALLEY JUST LACK CUTTING EDGE

Photo: Simon Ainley

Rugby Town players congratulate Scott Musgrove after he puts in the rebound from yet another penalty miss - Valley's 4th failure from the spot this season

A much-improved Rugby Town secured a point against the division form side Oxford City at Butlin Road.

Although the result now means Valley are without a win in six, the performance was far more encouraging and Rugby really should have taken all three points on the day.

There was a welcome return to the defence with Craig Herbert finally shrugging off a string of injuries to feature with Tom Breward moving into midfield and Neil King dropping to the bench. Winger Matt Gearing also returned at the expense of striker Jason Turner.

Rugby started the game well and threatened early on through David Kolodynski and David Stone.

More fluent football was on show for the first time in several games with Valley piecing together some good attacking moves throughout the ninety minutes.

The deadlock was broken when Rugby were awarded a 30th minutes penalty. A good move down the left involving Stephan Morley, Kolodynski and Staff culminated in Gearing being clumsily brought down in the box and the penalty was given.

Although Scott Musgrove made it two penalty misses in a row with yet another poor Rugby spotkick, the goalkeeper's save was kind to the Valley midfielder and he fired the rebound home from close range.

The home side weren't ahead for long as Oxford equalised somewhat out of the blue when Darren Pond struck through a crowded box when a corner was only half cleared.

Rugby thought they had retaken the lead shortly after when Delroy Gordon rose highest to head home Morley's excellent free kick but it was ruled out for offside.

On the balance of play and chances, Rugby dominated the second half and really should have made their visitors pay but Valley lacked a cutting edge.

Straight after the break, Rugby had a big claim for a penalty and the Oxford goalkeeper's dismissal when he appeared to tug back Stone after the striker had stolen the ball but the referee waved away the appeals.

From the ensuing play, Kolodynski dragged a 10 yard shot wide of the post.

Rugby came closest when Gordon headed against the angle from six yards after Musgrove's deep cross from the right while Kolodynski tested the goalkeeper with a rasping angled drive.

In the dying minutes, Valley had two or three great chances to grab an illusive winner but Musgrove attempted to poke home Kolodynski's cross when a header would surely have seen a certain goal while Gearing rolled the ball along the six yard box but Stone just couldn't quite connect with the goal gaping.

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

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

Report by RTFC Online.