VALLEY FIGHTBACK TO SHARE THE SPOILS

In their second top of the table clash in three days at Butlin Road, Rugby Town mounted a gritty second half comeback to secure a point against Leighton Town.

By Jon Venner.

Photo: Martin Pulley

Claudiu Hoban's strike sparks life into Rugby by scoring the first of two goals to draw the game and get an important point for the play-off chances

It was very much the proverbial game of two halves on Tuesday evening, with the visitors dominating the first period and fashioning a two goal lead by the break, only for a revitalised Valley to control proceedings after it.

It was an unchanged starting line-up for Rugby, which meant a fourth successive game on the bench for midfielder Ben Steane.

Leighton were ahead after just two minutes, when after Andy Gundelach failed to get any distance to his defensive clearance, Lewis McBride put in a snapshot from the edge of the penalty area to which Dave Clarke was too late to react and subsequently the ball sneaked low into corner off the upright.

Clarke then spilled another effort from McBride – gathering it at the second attempt – as the away side continued impress with their movement and incisive play.

There was little to enthuse the Valley faithful at the other end, although Richard Wesley was crowded out after Leon Simpson’s flick-on had released him momentarily in the box. Simpson’s follow-up effort was then blocked by a Leighton body.

It was the visitors that looked more likely to add to their tally, with Shane Bush hitting the woodwork, Pete Clifford having his header cleared from the line by Nick Heath and Clarke padding away Drew Roberts’s chip for a corner.

The inevitable second goal came on the half hour mark, when Clifford helped a corner onto his central defensive partner Stuart Deaton – who made no mistake from twelve yards.

Heath’s wayward free-kick from the edge of the box on 43 minutes which sailed harmlessly over the target summed up a disappointing half for Rugby.

Manager Martin Sockett made a double substitution at the start of the second period, introducing Steane and striker Tyrone Fagan, and Rugby soon had their opponents on the back-foot – although Wesley’s shot was well-wide from their first attack of the half.

Steane released Claudiu Hoban on 54 minutes, and the young Romanian showed good pace before applying a neat finish low into the corner to reduce the arrears.

The game intensified from that point, and Valley upped their game a further notch – although Leighton could have restored their two goal advantage when Clarke was caught in possession with the ball at his feet by Ben Gallant. Fortunately Roberts blazed the resulting effort over the bar.

Hoban then went down in the penalty area, only to receive a yellow card for simulation – much to the annoyance of the home supporters.

With ten minutes of normal time remaining on the clock, Fagan played in Steane – who smashed home to bring the scores level.

The game opened up in the closing minutes and both sides had opportunities to win it, as play swung from one end to the other.

For Leighton, James Hatch’s low shot did not trouble Clarke and shortly after Melvin Gourlay nipped in to clear a dangerous cross for a corner.

Valley created the better chances though, with Gourlay striking one over the bar from close range after a goalmouth scramble, and in added time, Steane fired wide after breaking down the right, when a crossed ball may have been a better option.

Valley line-up: Clarke; Goodbody (Steane), Moran, Preston, Gourlay; Gundelach (Fagan), Wesley, Heath, Connolly; Simpson (Smith), Hoban. Subs not used: Edwards, Oulton. Booked: Hoban

Leighton line-up: Marsh, Chapman, Bewley, Deaton, Clifford, Hanley, McBride, O’Brien, Gallant, Roberts, Bush. Subs: Osborn, Hatch, Hewitt, Hutchins, Ambler.