Despite a late Valley barrage, the visitors were unable to find a winner in Staffordshire.

Unchanged Rugby did twice come from behind to secure a point though against a resolute home defence which played the last half an hour of the game without their keeper Dave Parton – who had been dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Both Town equalisers were goals to remember by the increasingly influential Kevin Thornton on a pitch in reasonably good condition despite the recent heavy rain.

The opening half hour was a pretty forgettable affair, with neither side putting in an on-target effort, and the closest Rugby came in that period saw Rob Parker’s strike deflected wide for a corner.

The game sprung to life in the 35th minute when Newcastle scored with their first real chance after they had broken quickly from a Valley corner at the other end, with Harry Clayton and Thomas France exchanging passes before Jordan Cole powered a low shot past Sam Andrew.

Rugby were soon level though, thanks to well-struck free-kick by Thornton after Rob Parker had been fouled near the edge of the penalty area.

The second half was much more entertaining, and on 56 minutes the home side regained the lead again through Cole, after a defensive error by Matt Curley had given the striker the space to turn and curl the ball past a helpless Andrew.

The dynamics of the game changed a couple of minutes later though when Parton was sent off for handling the ball outside of the penalty area, with Rugby sensing this was now their opportunity to get back into the match.

David Kolodynski sent an acrobatic effort over the top from a Steve Towers' lay-off and then just a minute later, the same player struck the bar – with the resulting rebound attempt by Tom Ryan well-saved by stand-in keeper Ben Mills.

Valley continued to press forward and create a number of scoring opportunities, with Mills saving substitute Jake Healy’s shot to the near post, and both Parker and Curley also going close to an equaliser.

The deserved goal came with thirteen minutes of normal time remaining, when Thornton received the ball twenty yards out and after a smart swivel, he struck a ferocious shot past Mills and into the net.

Town pushed hard for a third, but in reality were unable to test the gloved Newcastle striker.

Valley Line-up: Andrew; Curley, Warburton, Tullin, Ryan; Parker, Towers; Revan (Healy), Powell, Thornton; Kolodynski. Subs not used: Wilkins, Smith, Woods, Esso. Booked: Curley.

Newcastle line-up: Parton, Askey, Bridge, Mills, Carter, McPherson, France, Blake, Cole, Sanders, Clayton. Subs: Ashman, Thompson, Gardner, Downs, Dunn.