Rugby Town finally showed glimpses of their home form with a win at Kirby Muxloe with two goals apiece for Danico Johnson and Harry Holloway.
Johnson's first on the stroke of half-time came at the end of a sluggish opening period from Town and despite his second just after the restart, the visitors continued to struggle - missing a plethora of good chances in the process.
Holloway was introduced from the bench after the Leicestershire club had pulled one back, and his arrival provided the much needed spark - with the diminutive midfielder putting in an impressive display to go with his brace.
Richard Blythe had returned to the Rugby starting line-up at the expense of Lewis Hayden, with Holloway back in the squad after more than two months out injured.
Johnson should have scored in the game's first attack, but he sent his free header to Lewis Rankin's cross wide of the target.
This early miss set the tone for the half, with Rankin screwing one into the side netting and Blythe delaying his shot for too long - before clipping the base of the post.
Charlie Evans also headed wide as the opportunities continued to come Valley's way, before the hosts could easily have taken the lead on the break when Matt Hill pulled off a fine double save to Aaron Love's efforts and Andre Williams blazed the resulting loose ball over with the goal at his mercy.
Evans's audacious volley flew over, whilst another subsequent volley - this time by Rankin - was gathered by Muxloe keeper Joe Home.
Stefan Blake and Loyiso Recci both had further opportunities, before Johnson struck one into the bottom corner of the net after Blythe's pass had played him in on 45 minutes.
Town's top scorer also hit the post in first half stoppage time, but he made no mistake two minutes after the players returned, when he slotted home at the near post after some nice interchange play between Evans and Blake.
The hosts looked there for the taking at this point, but Rugby were unable to make the most of their chances - with Evans, Rankin and Blythe (twice) all failing to convert gilt-edged scoring opportunities.
Adam Parry then reduced the arrears when he finished off after a team-mate's initial strike had cannoned back off the underside of the crossbar.
The introduction of Holloway and Hayden with little more than twenty minutes remaining finally saw Town take control of the game, with Holloway soon drilling one in after a completing a one-two with Evans, after Johnson had done well to steal possession.
Johnson was also involved in Valley's fourth, when he ran into the box before picking out Simeon Tulloch - who squared the ball for Holloway to tap in from close range.
There was still time for further misses for Tulloch and Blythe, with both of their efforts lacking power and being easily taken by Home.
Valley
Line-up: Hill; Rosser, Brathwaite, Recci, Francis; Perkins (Tulloch), Blythe, Blake (Hayden); Rankin (Holloway), Evans, Johnson. Subs not used: Kavanagh, Marsden. Booked: Perkins, Blythe, Evans.
Kirby line-up: Home, Clarke, Lowe, Merriman, Neal, Mills, Parry, Williams, Love, D.Barber, Morrall. Subs: A.Barber, Cooper, Marlow, Newby. |