Valley ended their pre-season preparations with a narrow win over Southern League Division one side Bedworth United.

A goal either side of half time from defenders Liam Francis and Lee Thomas won the final friendly for Carl Adams' men ahead of the season opener next weekend at Butlin Road against Cogenhoe.

Adams was without regular goalkeeper Matt Hill so Coventry City's Under 23 stopper Tom Billson deputised between the sticks and there was a start in midfield for academy prospect Caine Elliott while Loyiso Recci, Omar Recci, Dan White and Jazz Luckie were all unavailable.

Bedworth also had a number of players unavailable including ex-Rugby players Mitch Piggon and Richard Blythe and so were forced to field a number of trialists although there was a place in the line-up for former Valley left back Josh Steele.

Centre back Liam Francis rose highest to head home Kieran Fitzgerald's corner to give Rugby the lead although the visitors struck back almost immediately when Bedworth's Alex Troke smartly volleyed into the net after a cross from the right.

The winning goal came ten minutes into the second half when a poor clearance from the goalkeeper only found Justin Marsden on the half way line and he played a neat ball through for the onrushing Lee Thomas whose cross-cum-shot flew into the net.

Valley Line-up: Matt Hill; Keenah Rosser (Daniel Kavanagh), Lee Thomas, Rico Alexander, Liam Francis, Jamal Clarke; Caine Elliott, Sam Tamakloe (Harry Holloway); Kieran Fitzgerald, Charlie Evans (Lewis Padmore), Justin Marsden (Chris Tudorache).