Rugby's seven-match winning run came to adrupt end after a poor performance at Creasey Park against promotion rivals Dunstable Town.

Three first half goals won the tie for Dunstable, with Valley not getting into the match at all and home goalkeeper Jamie Head not really having a serious threat on his goal throughout.

Manager Dave Stringer made one change from the win against Uxbridge, with Josh O'Grady starting in place of Greg Kaziboni – who had limped off in the warm-up.

The hosts had breezed through last season as South Midland League Champions and have started this season well too.

Within six minutes they went ahead in this game after a disputed free-kick was taken by Danny Murphy, and his delightfully weighted cross found the head of the unmarked Lee Roache who directed his downward header past Niall Cooper from ten yards out.

Six further minutes on, Dunstable doubled their lead when the impressive Chris Marsh went round Ellis Myles and floated a great ball into the box.

Town tried to clear, but Adam Watkins responded quicker and created himself some space - before firing from close range past Cooper and into the corner of the net.

In the 27th minute, Rugby had their first attempt on goal, but Justin Marsden’s effort was way over and wide.

From the resulting goal-kick, the hosts scored their third. The keeper Head kicked long, it was flicked on by the head of Tony Burnett and with Roache in acres of space in the middle of the pitch, he took up the ball and unleashed a cracking shot leaving Cooper helpless in goal.

With Rugby not creating anything, Marsh should have made it four ahead of the interval, but his shot hit the base of the post.

Valley boss Stringer had to make a change for the second half, and Andrew Spencer came on for the ineffective O'Grady, with Mitchell Piggon also coming on later in the half.

It was the tall striker who then had Rugby's best chance of the game, when his shot was saved at close quarters by Head in the 70th minute.

With Town trying but failing to get through a resolute home defence, Dunstable were happy just to sit tight and preserve their three goal advantage.

Two late Valley chances saw a Seb Lake-Gaskin effort deflected for a corner and an Alex Gudger header blocked in the goalmouth, but there was to be no consolation on a disappointing day for the visitors.

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

Dunstable Town: Head, Hutchins, Murphy, Bruce, Leach, Olalaye, Watkins, Burnett, Roache, Frater, Marsh. .