Valley finally made it back into action last Saturday, but it was ultimately a frustrating afternoon for them at Harrison Park, as they slipped to defeat against fellow play-off place challengers.

Tim Grice’s solitary goal against the run of play midway through the first half secured the points for Leek, and despite the visitors’ best efforts they could not find a way back into the game.

Having seen their Easter Monday fixture at home to Daventry called off at late notice, Rugby then had to endure a further near ninety minute delay to the scheduled kick-off time in Staffordshire, but once the game was finally underway, Valley started brightly enough.

Early half chances for David Kolodynski and Callum Powell went begging, and Kevin Thornton twice threatened from free-kicks, before the home side took the lead when Chris Baker’s long through ball saw Rugby keeper Sam Andrew leave his goal to challenge the on-rushing Grice, before the ball ricocheted fortuitously off Andrew to allow Grice to score into an empty net.

The ever impressive Thornton then did his best to get Rugby back into the game with some decent individual skill, but his run came up short against a wall of defenders.

Rugby's cause was not helped just before half-time when Mitchell Piggon was forced off due to a suspected broken nose.

Valley started the second half well and nearly got the equaliser when Kurtis Revan saw his thunderous effort hit the upright of the bar – which in the end was the closest Rugby came to an equaliser.

Town were desperately trying to get back into the game with many forays into the penalty area, but there was generally a lack of end product to these.

At the other end, the hosts produced very little of note themselves, with only Baker and substitute Kyle Diskin having late efforts. Rugby’s final opportunity of the match saw Thornton put Jake Healy’s cut back just wide of the target.

Valley Line-up: Andrew; Curley, James, Tullin, Ryan; Thornton, Powell (Willis), Parker, Towers; Kolodynski (Healy), Piggon (Revan). Subs not used: Wilkins. Booked: Towers, Ryan, Revan.

Leek line-up: Martin, Bradbury, Jackson, Beaumont, Green, Chadwick, Shelley, Baker, Grice, Cropper, Maguire.