GREENFORD CRUSH 10-MAN VALLEY'S PLAY-OFF HOPES

Rugby Town fell to a heavy and unexpected defeat at North Greenford United on Saturday, which has left Valley's play-off ambitions looking slim with just two games left.

By Craig Webb Tweet

Photo: Martin Pulley

The normally dynamic Robbie Banks, along with the rest of the Valley team, were nowhere near their best at North Greenford

Buoyed after successive Easter victories, this defeat brought them back down to earth but they were not helped when central defender Ed Booth got sent off early in the second half with score only 1-0.

With the hosts in 15th place, and with nothing to play for, Rugby fans were expecting a crucial win, but a poor performance put paid to that.

The first half was a pretty unforgettable period with neither side showing any threat near goal.

Striker Seb Lake-Gaskin had the first shot in the 18th minute but it was tame effort and easy for home keeper Andy Caesar.

Greenford took the lead in the 44th minute after the best move of the game.

A good run through the centre of field by Zak Joseph, found Mark Nicholls whose clever over the top ball found Wayne Jackson who floated a precise pass for Alex Paine to head over Dave Bevan and into the goal.

Rugby needed to improve dramatically in the second period, but got off to the worst possible start when Booth got his marching orders in the 50th minute.

Striker Jackson was going towards goal, and Booth seemed to clip him, and the Greenford player went over.

The referee deemed Booth was the last man and sent him off without hesitation. A little bit harsh perhaps, but the ref stuck by the rules.

Now down to 10 men, Rugby found it even harder to create chances on a hard pitch and the home side defending resolutely.

On 71 minutes, Greenford doubled their lead when Sean Roberts seized on a cracking pass from Nicholls and unchallenged rolled the ball past Bevan.

Two minutes later, though Bevan produced a double save keeping out both Paine and Jackson and the latter then shaved the post with effort just moments later.

Greenford struck twice in injury time to kill off the game and perhaps Town's promotion hopes when Joseph scored from a header after a cracking pass from substitute Ashley Alexandra in the 91st minute, then just two minutes later, defender Liam Hind scored an absolute screamer from 35 yards to leave Bevan helpless in the Valley goal.

Other results went Rugby's way, but they will have to improve considerably in their last away game to AFC Hayes next week to get into the play offs.

Valley Line-up: Bevan; Moran, Milligan, Preston, Booth; Banks, Leahy (Wilson), Blythe, Allen (Keen); Fagan, Lake-Gaskin. Subs not used: Da Costa. Booked: Blythe, Preston. Sent Off: Booth.

North Greenford United: Caesar, Hillier, Roberts, Hind, Diston, Bennell, Joseph, Duffy, Nicholls, Paine, Jackson.