Valley suffered a fourth consecutive away league defeat in torrential conditions at the Harborough Community Ground.

For the second midweek running, Valley came up just short against a team that appear to be one of the frontrunners for promotion this season.

Goals from set-pieces within the opening and closing ten minutes of the game secured the points for the hosts, and whilst Rugby enjoyed periods of encouraging play, they failed to convert this into clear cut goalscoring opportunities.

There was a debut for new signing Alex Lock in a midfield role, with Keenah Rosser and Max Johnson back into the starting eleven in three changes from the weekend Vase victory over Wulfrunians.

Valley fell behind with just five minutes on the clock, when defender Paul Malone met Josh Walsh's floated free-kick perfectly to power his header into the net.

The home side looked to extend their early advantage, with James Ireland testing Ash Bodycote from distance and Dodzi Agbenu flashing one over the bar.

For Rugby, Max Johnson's strike flew well over and Danico Johnson's dangerous-looking cross hit a Harborough defender before drifting the wrong side of the upright.

Another Johnson run and delivery from the left set-up Edwin Ahenkorah for decent chance, but the striker could only divert the ball wide from close quarters under pressure from a defender.

At the other end, Ireland again drew a parried save from Bodycote from the edge of the area, with the visiting keeper alert enough to quickly gather the loose ball.

Loyiso Recci glanced Danico Johnson's free-kick wide from a good position, with Max Johnson's whipped-in free-kick prompting a fine defensive clearance to foil any threat.

A fine goal-line block by Justin Marsden to Agbenu's on-target shot was the last meaningful action of the opening period. Valley started the second half well, but all too often found that their final ball lacked precision.

Within this period of ascendancy, Lock did stab a Max Johnson corner to the near post wide of the frame, but the hosts were soon finding their feet again, with Bodycote making a good stop with his feet to deny Nat Ansu.

Rosser's sliding block tackle kept out a Agbenu strike, with Merson Styles dispatching the rebound into the side netting.

Whilst the visitors continued to probe it was usually an unsuccessful pursuit, and it was Harborough that looked the most likely to score again.

Sam Lockley was denied a goal against his old club when Bodycote pulled off a good save in a one-on-one situation, but the Town keeper was then beaten by a 20 yard low free-kick by Walsh that curled around his wall.

Both Ansu and Agbenu missed out on the opportunity to add a third in the closing minutes, after the hosts took advantage of a defensive slip-up.

Valley Line-up: Bodycote; Rosser, Lee Thomas, English, Loyiso Recci; Lock (Kolodynski), Max Johson; Parkes, Marsden, Ahenkorah; Danico Johnson. Subs not used: Bennett, Hancocks, Haycock, Parker. Booked: Lee Thomas, Loysio Recci, Danico Johnson.

Harborough line-up: Taylor, Fowler, Styles, Malone, Williams, Preston, Agbenu, Walsh, Rooney, Ireland, Hollis. Subs: Konteh, Jackson, Clifton, Ansu, Lockley.