Town woeful 2017 home form continued last Saturday, with Joe Parry’s 40th minute strike winning the game for the newly-promoted visitors, with Rugby lacking attacking penetration – most notably in the opening hour of a game played in the glorious Butlin Road sunshine.

Defender Brad Harris pulled up shortly before kick-off with a recurrence of his ankle injury, meaning there was late place back in the side for Kyle Rowley, and therefore just one change to the starting line-up at Heanor four days previously – with Harry Holloway in for James Dance.

Holloway had an early shot blocked out, whilst at the other end Haughmond’s Matt Fletcher’s dangerous run into the box was just halted.

David Kolodynski and Liam Holt also both dragged efforts wide for Valley, but it was the away side that looked the more threatening, with their best chance seeing keeper Niall Cooper do well to save Sam Phillips’ shot after Sam Belcher had given the ball away needlessly.

It was further sloppy defensive play by the hosts that gifted Haughmond the game’s only goal five minutes before half-time, when Kyle Rowley dallied in possession to allow Parry to calmly round Cooper and stroke the ball home.

Kolodynski and Belcher combined well just ahead of the break, but the latter lost his footing in the penalty area just as he was about to run onto the former’s pass.

Andy Jones header to Fletcher’s free-kick on 52 minutes was saved by Cooper as the visitors looked to extend their lead, with Parry also helping the rebound onto the upright.

The introductions of Chadd Birch and Ben Ashby in wide roles either side of the hour mark did finally provide Town with some threat going forward, with both Josh Thornton and Belcher almost taking advantage of opportunities that were soon created.

Kolodynski, Mason Rowley and Belcher all had shots blocked in the box, with Haughmond keeper Sam Jones finally called into some meaningful action when he smothered Birch’s attempt from a tight angle.

Substitute Sean Castleton and Belcher had further efforts thwarted in a crowded penalty area, with Josh Ruff’s corner then directly striking the base of Jones’ near post in added-on time.

Valley Line-up: Cooper; Print, Hall, M Rowley, K Rowley (Castleton); Thornton (Ashby), Belcher, Holloway (Birch); Holt, Ruff, Kolodynski. Subs not used: Brathwaite. Booked: Holt, Ruff.

Haughmond line-up: S.Jones, Carpenter, Fletcher, Simms, Griffiths, Rogers, Renshaw, Parry, Hole, Phillips, A.Jones. Subs: Williams, Howells, Owen, Spittlehouse, Thomas.