David Kolodynski’s 80th minute strike secured Rugby a deserved three points at Butlin Road against struggling Ashford Town (Mx).

Whilst the Valley victory was undoubtedly ultimately a deserved one, lowly Ashford were far from a pushover on the day – offering a resolute defensive effort in the face of the home side’s consistent probing.

Town boss Dave Stringer made one change from the midweek League Cup win against Banbury, recalling Seb Lake-Gaskin to the frontline, and it was the striker who had the game’s early half chances – first seeing his low shot taken by visiting keeper Tyler Tobin and later sending one just past the post.

It was generally however an uneventful first period, although twice referee Stuart Jack waved away Rugby appeals for a penalty after Lewis McBride had gone down under challenges in the box.

Jack continued to seek a centre-stage role after the restart, first taking an un-necessarily long time to caution Lake-Gaskin for dissent before then dispatching Stringer to the stands for questioning his decision making.

Ashford’s Mark Gallagher headed over Tommy Brunton’s corner, before Valley took control again – with Lake-Gaskin and Kolodynski almost finding their men with their crosses, and Sam Youngs also having a shot blocked.

Rugby’s patience finally paid off though ten minutes from the end, with substitute Mitchell Piggon’s perfectly flighted delivery met first time by Kolodynski, who steered the ball past Tobin.

Valley could easily have extended their margin of victory ahead of the final whistle, with Piggon having a goalbound effort diverted off target by his own man Kolodynski, Youngs seeing another effort blocked and Kolodynski steering a near post header just wide of the target.

Valley Line-up: Cooper; Myles, Kelly, Gudger, Rowley; Andrew Spencer (Blythe), McBride, Youngs, Marsden (O'Grady); Lake-Gaskin (Piggon), Kolodynski. Subs not used: Moses-Garvey, Palmer. Booked: Lake-Gaskin, Kolodynski.

Ashford line-up: Tobin, Sotonwa, Mullan, Canderton, Driver, Sitch, Lynch, Weight, Gallagher, Hughes, Brunton. Subs: Lockhart-Adams, Willis, Roberts, Mann, Fuller.