Rugby Town fell to their first league defeat of the season after a feisty contest at rivals Shepshed Dynamo.

After a close first half, Shepshed struck twice just after half time with Jahdahn Harper finishing off a loose ball in the Rugby box before Reece Morris added a second from close range after a throw in split open the Valley defence.

Rugby pressed hard to get back into the game but the finish eluded them allowing Shepshed to see out the three points and keep up their 100% record.

Town made one change from the victory last time out at nearby Loughborough, with Justin Marsden starting for the unavailable Danico Johnson.

Both teams started brightly in the opening quarter, with early chances at either end. Shepshed's Jahdahn Harper beat the offside trap, and managed a decent cross for Karobo Motshweni but his effort ballooned over the bar.

Rugby had their first shot in the 6th minute when Kurtis Revan hit a powerful shot but it went straight into the keeper's hands.

Valley continued to impress in the 10th minute when a lovely sweeping ball from Caine Elliott found Thomas who quickly found Dylan Parker but his shot went disappointingly high over the bar.

There was a penalty claim for Rugby when captain Loyiso Recci felt his shirt was being tugged in the area, however the referee waved play on.

The home side sprang out of the traps in the second half, with two goals within the first ten minutes.

There was confusion in the Rugby defence with Recci unable to clear his lines, Harper pounced on the hesitancy and bundled the ball home from close range in the 48th minute.

Seven minutes later it was two, when the diminutive Reece Morris made light work of the tight angle presented to him and slotted the ball past Sam Lomax after a good cross by Matt Melbourne.

Town did not give up and had the better possession after the goals, with Charlie Evans going close from a corner with an ambitious shot which produced a good save from home keeper Max Peverell.

Towards the end of the match, tempers were starting to flare which produced a flurry of late yellow cards including time in the sin bin for Lee Thomas.

The home side were singing they were going to win the league after this game. This might be a premature statement, but Rugby will have realised they will not have it all their own way in this league this season.

Valley Line-up: Lomax; Francis, Rosser, Recci; L Thomas, Evans, Hancocks (C Thomas), Elliott; Revan (Clarke), Marsden, Parker. Subs: Padmore, J Thomas, Hill. Booked: Francis, Hancocks, Marsden, Recci. Booked (Sin Bin): L Thomas.