Valley suffered a narrow defeat in their final pre-season friendly at home to Midland Football League side Atherstone Town.

It turned out to be a warm summer's afternoon at Butlin Road with all the goal action coming in a five minute spell during the first half during which Atherstone were largely on top.

There was a first appearance of pre-season for Edwin Ahenkorah on the Rugby left while Matt Hill, Dan Summerfield, Roger Lee and Karabo Motshweni returned to the starting XI.

New defender Kyle Burke remained sidelined due to injury.

Tom Fielding gave Rugby the lead against the run of play just after the midpoint of the half when he turned smartly in the penalty area before sending a low shot into the bottom corner.

The Adders were soon level when defender Nathan Astill smashed in from close range following a set piece and then led as Conor Gudger flicked a near post cross into the net past Hill.

Atherstone could have easily extended their lead before half time when Valley boss Carl Adams made six changes.

Fielding failed to take advantage of a glorious chance to double his tally when put clean through on goal by a Sahota throughball with team-mates in support while Sahota then lifted a shot over the bar after Rico Taylor's free-kick was blocked as Rugby improved in the second half.

Another substitute Kyle Crawford ballooned an excellent chance over the bar after being set up by David Kolodynski.

Valley Line-up: Hill; Francis (Crawford), Rosser, Thomas (Recci); Summerfield (English), Ahenkorah (Kear), Fitzharris (Lock), Lee (Sahota), Motshweni (Taylor); Fielding, Wilson (Kolodynski)

Atherstone Line-up: Hedge, Noon, Gudger, Deeney, Alcock, Astill, Parsons, Smith, Brown, Jackson, Cowley. Subs: Moss, Bradshaw, Floyd, Matthews, Adcock, Belcher, Cooper.