Rugby Town were held to a goal-less draw by a determined Cogenhoe United side in the season opener at Butlin Road.

Although Valley had most of the ball they struggled to break down the well-organised Cogenhoe backline who came with a clear game plan to play on the counter-attack.

Rugby manager Carl Adams was without a number of attacking options with Kieran Fitzgerald (illness), Ryan Seal (holiday), Jazz Luckie & Harry Hollowell (both injured) all unavailable meaning a start in attack for Justin Marsden.

Meanwhile there were four debutants for Valley with defenders Rico Alexander and Jamal Clarke starting along with midfielders Caine Elliott and Dan White.

The first half was particularly uninspiring, with the visitors registering the game's first real shot of the game when Nicky Charlton dragged a shot from twenty yards wide of the target.

Justin Marsden and Dan White both put in a tame strikes as the period progressed, with the home side's best chance sandwiched in-between these when Eli Bako somehow failed to connect with Charlie Evans's cross.

Valley improved a little after the break, and Loyiso Recci was soon shaving the top of the bar with his effort from distance.

Lee Thomas twice shot wide, before roles were reversed for Town when Evans could not reach a Bako centre.

Cogenhoe rarely entered Town's half as the game drew to close, but Rugby continued to lack any significant penetration.

Their final opportunity to break deadlock came on 80 minutes, when Rico Alexander flashed one wide of the goal but Rugby did not in reality pose enough threat to get the vital breakthrough on the opening weekend.

Valley Line-up: Hill; Clarke, L Recci, Alexander; Rosser (Kavanagh), Thomas, Elliott, White; Bako (Francis), Marsden (Lockley), Evans. Subs not used: O Recci, Padmore. Booked: None.