Valley went down to a clinical Hinckley Leicester Road as the hosts kept up their 100% record.

Rugby came into the game on the back of an encouraging 3-0 victory over Potton United and boss Carl Adams named an unchanged XI with striker Danico Johnson still only fit enough for a place on the bench.

Town made an assured start at the hosts’ impressive Leicester Road stadium, but it was the Hinckley who went ahead against the run of play.

A slip by Loyiso Recci on the half way line allowed Tom Smith to escape down the left and his fine low cross found Jordan Burrows and he bobbled a shot into the corner at the far post despite Ash Bodycote and Omar Recci’s attempted blocks. Valley continued to play some good football without creating a clear cut chance as David Kolodynski and Edwin Ahenkorah shot half chances off target.

Defender Liam Francis was forced off with a groin injury midway through the half shortly before Hinckley had the ball in the net after a neat move down the left but it was ruled offside.

With little more goalmouth action in the first half, Leicester Road dealt a crucial blow just before half time as Dan Jenno bundled the ball over the line from close range after a corner.

Then just after the break the hosts then added another when winger Liam Read showed Luke English a clean pair of heels before sending an angled shot into the net despite goalkeeper Ash Bodycote getting a hand on the shot.

Despite the three goal deficit, Rugby went on to acquit themselves well against a side who still enjoy a 100% league record from seven games.

The introduction of Danico Johnson made an instant impact for Rugby as his incisive run on the left of the penalty area set up a tap-in for Koldynski.

Kolodynski also struck the crossbar with a fine curling effort and moments later saw a further acrobatic overhead effort tipped over the bar by Will Highland, but despite Valley putting in a concerted effort in the second half the elusive goals eluded them.

After Kolodynski’s close shaves, the closest Rugby came to a goal back was substitute Justin Marsden’s powerful low effort from the edge of the area which flashed just wide.

Valley Line-up: Bodycote; English, Omar Recci, Loyiso Recci, Francis (Josh Thomas); Hancocks (Marsden), Fitzharris; Parkes, Parker (Danico Johnson), Ahenkorah; Kolodynski. Subs not used: Bennett, Lee Thomas. Booked: Josh Thomas, Loyiso Recci, Danico Johnson.