VALLEY DO IT THE HARD WAY TO RESCUE POINT

Photo: Martin Pulley

Opposing captains Delroy Gordon (left) and Lee Jeffries challenge aerially during the second half at Butlin Road.

Rugby Town came from behind from a two-goal half time defecit to seal a 2-2 draw with struggling Yate Town at Butlin Road.

Valley gifted Yate the lead before the visitors doubled their lead before the break with Rugby looking extremely sluggish.

Rugby rallied in the second half and eventually got their reward with two late goals.

Manager Tony Dobson made one change with Tom Breward replacing Marcel Simpson in defence following the defeat to Cambridge.

After a two-week break owing to the snowy weather, Valley looked like a side badly lacking in match practice and barely managed to string a pass toegther during the first period.

Rugby got off to the worst possible start when Andrew Stevens attempted clearance of a harmless long ball rebounded off his own defender Breward and into the path of White to roll the ball into an empty net from the edge of the area.

Valley had a strong shout for a penalty when David Stone was seemingly upended in the area by the goalkeeper but instead of a yellow card was issued to the striker for simulation.

The hosts again contributed to their own downfall later in the half when a sloppy pass took several Valley players out of the game, allowing a swift pass into the area to be clinically finished by Reid.

The second half saw Rugby attempt to up the tempo and put Yate under some pressure but despite possession and corners, they could not carve out too many clear cut chances.

Yate had chances to extend their lead but could not find a finish and they were eventually made to rue them.

The breakthrough for Rugby came after some good pressure, Yate defender Metitri headed the ball, under pressure from the David Kolodynski, into his own net after Liam Nicell's teasing cross.

The goal buoyed Valley to get the equaliser and it came when substitute Jason Turner was brought down in the box and Liam Nicell stepped up to slide home his second goal for the club and secure an important point.

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

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

Report by RTFC Online.