Rugby came unstuck in their final pre-season friendly at AFC Rushden & Diamonds with a comprehensive defeat.

Rushden, who operate one league lower than Rugby in the United Counties League, found space in behind the Valley defence at will and made it count in the first half racing into a 4-0 lead.

Valley dominated the first ten minutes before going behind with Russell Dunkley's header saved into the path of Joe Henderson who slotted home from close range.

It was soon two as ex-Rugby winger Fazel Koriya darted past two challenges on the edge of the area and fired the ball into the top corner.

Things got worse in the Valley defence when a floated free-kick from Greg Ling was missed by everyone including Joe Mellings in the Rugby goal and straight into the net.

Five minutes before the break the first half rout was completed as Rushden tore through the shaky Rugby defence and there was acres of room for Ling to crack in his second.

Rugby improved in the second half and looked a little more solid.

Richard Blythe slotted home after David Kolodynski's lay-off and Justin Marsden took down Nathan Fox's whipped cross to score late on after Koriya found space in the box to convert a low diving header.

Valley Line-up: Mellings; Grocutt, Fox, Gudger, Simpson; Fox, Marsden, Jepson, Blythe; Youngs; Kolodynski. Subs used: L Bishop, Lake-Gaskin, Glasscoe.