David Kolodynski’s fourth goal in three games deservedly settled the game in Rugby’s favour at Butlin Road.

Town boss Dale Belford made three changes to his side from the midweek draw against Kidsgrove, recalling Danny Clifton, Sean Wilkins and Jake Healy to the midfield – meaning skipper Steve Towers moved back to a central defensive position.

Rugby started the game brightly, with Callum Powell’s dragged shot almost sneaking in, and then Leek keeper Chris Martin kept out Healy’s effort from point blank range at the end of a particularly flowing move from the hosts which had seen Powell and Kolodynski combine well.

Healy put another chance wide, before Valley’s best chance of the half saw Kolodynski’s angled shot come back off the post – with Healy just unable to force home the rebound.

Kolodynski did have the ball in the net shortly after to Powell’s pass, as Rugby continued to threaten - but the striker had strayed into an offside position.

Further opportunities fell to Healy and Kevin Thornton ahead of the interval, but Healy scuffed his strike wide and Martin turned Thornton’s effort around the post.

The visitors’ only real threat of the opening period had come from the head of Tim Grice, who twice nodded over and earlier had found Liam Roberts alert to his near post effort.

The home side took the lead when Thornton seized on loose play by Leek to thread the ball through to Kolodynski, who took his time before applying a composed finish past Martin.

The goal sparked the Staffordshire side into life, and Roberts was soon beating away a powerful strike by Dan Shelley.

Healy headed a good chance wide after Clifton’s cross had picked him out, whilst Kolodynski and Thornton also threatened to fashion a second for Rugby with neat interchange play on a couple of occasions.

At the other end, Roberts was again proving his worth - turning substitute Dan Cope’s strike around the post, with fellow sub Kyle Diskin also testing the Valley keeper with a rising effort.

The closest Leek came to what would have been an unjust equaliser saw Jon Beaumont heading onto the base of the post, only to see the ball rebound fortuitously into the Roberts’ arms.

Late in the game, Kolodynski flashed a dangerous ball across the face of the goal – but agonisingly out of the reach of Wilkins.

Valley Line-up: Roberts; Parker, Warburton, Rowley, Towers; Wilkins, Clifton; Healy (Lake-Gaskin), Powell, Thornton; Kolodynski. Subs not used: Ryan, Walker, Woods, Belford. Booked: None.

Leek line-up: Martin, Green, Jackson, Baker, Askey, Beaumont, Danylyk, Shelley, Grice, Cropper, Maguire. Subs: Bradbury, Dyskin, Cope, Curley, Holmes .