TOWN BOW OUT WITH A WIN

Rugby Town signed off a topsy-turvey season with a narrow win over bottom-club Marlow at Butlin Road to replicate last season's sixth place finish.

By Jon Venner Tweet

Photo: Martin Pulley

Returning winger Michael Williams was a constant threat from the right hand side for Rugby

Tyrone Fagan's fourteenth goal of the season came after he followed up on his own spot-kick, which had initially been parried by the visiting keeper.

Town boss Dave Stringer had made two changes to his starting line-up for the end of season game, with Craig Milligan and Michael Williams both recalled in place of the two Lukes – Leahy and Keen.

Despite their rock-bottom league position, Marlow did put in a decent performance and were unlucky to return home to Buckinghamshire empty handed.

The visitors created the better early chances, with Chris Elsegood almost opening the scoring early on when he rounded Dave Bevan – only to be denied by a covering tackle by Ross Miller.

Marlow’s John Mbamarah also tested Bevan and Marcus Mealing’s attempted lob from distance hurried Valley’s keeper, before the hosts made the breakthrough after Fagan had been fouled in the box by Zac Gill.

Charlie Fanner tipped Fagan’s penalty onto the post, before the striker reacted the quickest to help home the rebound.

The goal lifted Town, and Seb Lake-Gaskin went close with a long-range effort, with Craig Milligan also flashing a low cross dangerously across the penalty area shortly before the interval.

After the restart, Marlow started a half brightly once more – with Aaron Couch looking dangerous down his side’s left.

Bevan pulled off a fine one-handed stop to deny the tricky Couch, and then Couch turned provider for Adam Thomas – but the youngster dragged his shot wide. Rugby’s best chance of extending their lead fell to Seb Hamilton after a good cross by Lake-Gaskin, but the substitute's header was touched onto the upright by Fanner – prompting a scramble which eventually saw Hamilton screw a second chance wide of the target.

Couch blazed another good chance over the bar at the other end, before Michael Williams missed a couple of good opportunities for Valley.

Lake-Gaskin also went close in the closing minutes with a well-struck effort from a tight angle.

Valley Line-up: Bevan; Moran, Milligan, Miller (Austin), Preston; Banks, Williams, Blythe, Allen (Leahy); Lake-Gaskin, Fagan (Hamilton). Subs not used: Keen, Wilson. Booked: Miller, Allen.

Marlow line-up: Fanner, Jansons, Blanks, Mealing, Gill, Mbamarah, Elsegood, Bemmadani, Thomas, Glynn, Couch. Subs: Alozie, Burrell, Croxford.