David Kolodynski's second half double strike sealed a vital Boxing Day derby win over Daventry at Butlin Road.

Understrength Rugby showed true mettle to gain revenge over their neighbours, after having been blown away 5-0 in the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign.

Having fallen behind to Ashley Robinson’s 27th minute goal within an even first period, Kolodynski’s double strike then gave his side a deserved victory to the delight of the bulk of the spectating 458.

The hosts’ preparations were dealt a blow by skipper Alex Gudger’s withdrawal in the warm-up, meaning a late call-up at centre-half for Nathan Haines – with new signing Nathan Fox making his debut at left-back.

The game’s first real opportunity fell to Luke Keen – one of four ex-Valleyites in the visitors’ starting line-up – but keeper Niall Cooper was equal to his low effort, tipping it round the post.

The teams then traded chances as Lewis McBride put one over and Steve Palmer’s effort drifted wide for Rugby, whilst Greg Kaziboni blocked Daventry’s Tom James’s shot and Cooper tipped away a dangerous swirling Ross Oulton corner.

Most of the away side’s threat had come via an aerial route, so it was no surprise they went ahead in such a manner when Robinson met James’s free-kick to head past Cooper.

Cooper then saved well from James, before Valley ended the half on the up and could have easily levelled matters on two separate occasions.

First Kolodynski lifted one just the wrong side of the target after Richard Blythe had played him in, and then they went even closer when Kaziboni struck the base of the upright from an acute angle – following-in on Seb Lake-Gaskin’s poked effort.

Valley re-emerged with clear attacking intent, with Lake-Gaskin twice denied by Richard Morris shortly after the restart.

Rugby continued to press, but their forays were all too often clinically and illegally halted by the backpedalling opposition.

Kaziboni and Kolodynski both went close, although at the other end Liam Dolman did stab one wide and James blazed over the bar.

The introduction of substitute Mitchell Piggon not only boosted Rugby’s physical presence in the final third of the pitch, but also gave Lake-Gaskin the opportunity to probe from a wider berth.

The equaliser came on 69 minutes when Blythe lofted his cross into the box and Kolodynski duly nodded it home.

The turnaround was soon completed when Kaziboni’s great run down the right ended with a cross for Piggon to head into the path of Kolodynski - who smashed home from close range.

Inevitably Daventry then emerged from their second half shell, and Dolman again threatened with a header and Scott Cross blasted the ball way over from a dangerous position.

Rugby began to threaten on the break though, and Kolodynski nearly completed his hat-trick after Piggon’s flick had released him, with McBride another to almost kill the game off.

Dolman’s well-struck effort from the edge of the area was the game’s final chance, but the assured Cooper gathered well to confirm the victory.

Valley Line-up: Cooper; Myles, Fox, Rowley, Haines; Kaziboni, McBride, Palmer (Piggon), Blythe; Kolodynski, Lake-Gaskin. Subs not used: Donaldson, Moses-Garvey, Wilson.

Daventry line-up: Morris, Wilkinson, Blake, Simpson, Dolman, Confue, Oulton (Beckley), Howells, Robinson (Cross), Keen, James (O’Grady). Subs not used: Deeney, Lorraine.