Valley came from behind to secure their ninth league victory of the season last Saturday, but they were made to work hard for the points by a spirited Leighton side.

Ben George was back from suspension at full-back, and Robbie Banks and Lewis Rankin both made first league starts of the season in three changes from the previous weekend, with returning striker Mitchell Piggon named amongst the substitutes.

The visitors arguably had the best of the opening exchanges, with Aaron Morgan’s shot blocked and Gary Ridgway lifting a dangerous cross into the hosts’ goalmouth, although Rankin did also tee up a good opportunity for Justin Marsden – who unfortunately missed the ball completely with his attempted shot.

Leighton took the lead on 22 minutes, when Christian Lester’s snapshot volley from twenty yards beat Richard Morris - after Michael Lyon’s initial strike had been blocked.

Marsden’s cross to Rankin was just cut out by Mark Bunker, before Rugby were level when Richard Blythe started and then finished an excellent Rugby move by guiding the ball in off the post – after Rankin had picked out his well-timed run.

It was Valley that began the second half the more threatening, and a Sam Youngs’ deflected effort came back off the base of the post – with Leighton keeper Dan Green then doing well to save Marsden’s rebound attempt at point blank range.

Youngs had another deflected effort, which this time went high of the target – but all too often the home side’s attacks fell foul of the offside flag.

At the other end, Leighton had a great double chance to regain the advantage, but first Morris showed fine goalkeeping prowess to deny the clean-through Dave Watson, with Alex Gudger matching this with an excellent goal-line block of Morgan’s follow-up strike.

Marsden sent one just over the bar ahead of the game’s decisive moment which came on 65 minutes when Youngs smashed the ball into the roof of the net from the spot, after Youngs himself had been fouled in the box by the opening scorer Lester.

George lifted a decent chance at the far post over the bar, before the visitors had a penalty appeal of their own turned down – with Lester’s long ranger soon then also drawing an excellent diving save from Morris.

Leighton continued to push hard for an equaliser, but Town defended effectively – albeit at times a little desperately, with Craig Kelly another to clear an effort off the line.

For Rugby, sub Piggon pulled one wide of the post before his return to Valley colours was ended prematurely when he was helped off with a hamstring tear .

Valley line-up: Morris; George, Kelly, Rowley, Gudger; Blythe, Banks (Piggon (Bishop)), Grocott, Youngs; Marsden, Rankin (Austin). Subs not used: None. Booked: Grocott, Youngs.

Leighton line-up: Green, Bunker, Ridgway, Goodman, Murphy, Lester, Taylor, Lyon, Morgan, Watson, Draycott. Subs: Farmer, Durcan, Irvine, Halai.