Valley let slip more valuable points with a disjointed performance against the division’s bottom club Ashford Town (Mx).

Nathan Haines had given them a half-time advantage which was pegged back shortly after the restart, and despite creating a number of good opportunities to restore the lead, Dave Stringer’s men were then unable to finish off a spirited Ashford side.

Stringer had made three changes from the weekend draw with Dunstable, meaning first starts for the club for Luke Bottomer and Ben Gallant, and a return from injury for Jared Cunniff – but overall it left Town lacking their usual shape and conviction.

An early half chance saw Seb Lake-Gaskin shoot well over the bar, and then Cunniff placed one wide after a good run down the left by Nathan Fox.

The home side were causing a few problems of their own though – mainly from set-pieces, and Scott Weight and Rhys Price both went close.

Valley’s goal came on 28 minutes, with Haines claiming the final touch after Fox’s corner had created a scramble in the home penalty box.

Cunniff then jinked through a couple of tackles before being eventually halted by keeper Tyler Tobin, and David Kolodynski almost added a second just before the break, but a nasty bobble meant he sliced wide instead after Greg Kaziboni and Ellis Myles had linked well.

More chances followed after the interval, with Bottomer shooting wide and Tobin denying Alex Gudger with a triple save combination.

However, it was Ashford that struck next with defender Jack Mullan getting the final touch to a looping free-kick to beat a stranded Niall Cooper.

Connor Moody and Price both sent efforts off-target for the hosts, whilst at the other end Rugby desperately searched for a much-needed winner.

Despite a general lack of fluidity, Valley did still carve out a series of suitable opportunities to do so.

Lake-Gaskin’s low shot on the angle was saved by Tobin, and Haines almost added his second with a header that somehow did not go in.

As the game entered the final ten minutes, Kaziboni bobbled one wide from Gallant’s deep cross and then with the last attack of the game Haines’ low shot on the turn beat Tobin, but it was blocked on the line by an Ashford defender .

Valley Line-up: Cooper; Myles, Fox, Haines, Gudger; Kaziboni, Gallant (Marsden), Bottomer, Cunniff; Kolodynski, Lake-Gaskin,. Subs not used: Palmer. Booked: Kaziboni, Gudger.