Valley's first pre-season home friendly at Butlin Road ended in a late defeat despite a promising display.

After an evenly contested first half which saw chances for both sides it was Rugby who saw gilt-edged opportunities come-and-go before the visitors struck with a last-minute winner through striker Adi Yussuf.

With only Barry Fitzharris missing through injury, manager Carl Adams had a full squad at his disposal and he used the match to start with three trialists looking to earn a deal.

Conor Tee missed the target with an early shot for Yeltz and Rugby' Mike Taylor should have hit the target from close range following Chris Clements' free-kick but the assistant's flag was raised in any chase.

McKauley Manning tested Valley stopper Paul Hathaway with two stinging efforts, one from inside and one from outside the area, before Taylor headed wide something of a sitter from inside the six yard box from Trey Charles' corner while trialist Ethan O'Toole also came close for Rugby after being set up by Ryan Sahota.

In the second half Rugby's trialist left back Damien Osoimoejiokhian fired a shot into the side netting before Manning and Conor Tee had half chances for Halesowen.

Substitute Harrison Nee contrived not to find the net from close range in the pick of the late chances for Rugby before the late winning goal.

Manning's scuffed shot fell somewhat fortuitously to Yussuf who buried the ball into the corner.

Valley Line-up: Hathaway; Summerfield, Osoimoejiokhian (Ahenkorah), Thomas, Rai; Clements (Ngolo), Sahota (Francis), O'Toole (Nee); Arthur (Semahimbo), Charles (Alexander-Tucker), Taylor (Kolodynski).

Halesowen Line-up: Bishop, Cassidy, Mitchell, Trialist, Wollacott, Taylor, Postle, Parker, Yussuf, Tee, Manning. Subs: Hickman, Trialist, Hawthorn, Fletcher, Gardner, Trialist.