A goal in each half secured Town another Butlin Road victory, but they were far from their best against a resourceful Hayes side – who will count themselves unlucky to return home empty-handed.

Valley’s Craig Kelly returned from injury after a four game absence, but boss Dave Stringer’s midfield options were again limited - this time by the unavailability of Lewis McBride – meaning a more advanced role for recent signing Nathan Haines.

The visitors started dangerously, and Tashan Jordan had two early chances – first missing his kick totally after Lawrie Shennan had squared to him in a dangerous position, and later forcing Niall Cooper into a full length one-handed save.

Having only a wayward Seb Lake-Gaskin shot to show for their opening half an hour’s efforts, Rugby then took the lead against the run of play, when Lake-Gaskin surged confidently forward before slipping the ball to Josh O’Grady – who fired home from the edge of the area.

Lake-Gaskin then put in an excellent swerving strike which keeper Ben Goode touched onto the crossbar, but it was Hayes that ended the first period as they had started it – namely in the ascendance.

Shennan just failed to add a finishing touch to Jake Cass’s delivery and he also missed a good chance after Mason Rowley’s defensive mistake, with Jordan also having a shot blocked by Ellis Myles ahead of the half-time whistle.

Shennan poked another one wide shortly after the restart, before the game became increasingly scrappy, a fact that was exemplified by a melee in the Hayes goalmouth which saw a number of players receive a yellow card.

Town’s second goal came with just five minutes of normal time remaining, after Chas Goode had tripped O’Grady in the box – providing Lake-Gaskin with the opportunity of a second spot-kick of the week, which he once more confidently powered into the top corner.

There was still time for Richard Blythe to add to Valley’s tally, but he lifted the ball over the bar, and also for Cooper to pull-off another impressive stop to deny Hayes’ substitute Rhys Rabess.

Valley Line-up: Cooper; Myles, Kelly, Gudger, Rowley; Lake-Gaskin, Haines, O'Grady, Blythe; Piggon (Palmer), Kolodynski. Subs not used: Wilson, Donaldson. Booked: Gudger, Haines.

Hayes line-up: B.Goode, Eccleston, Mirzai, Walters, C.Goode, McManus, Thomas, Underwood, Shennan, Cass, Jordan. Subs: Reuben, Vincent, Rabess, Williams, Harewood.