Rivel Mardenborough's goal midway through the first half secured a third consecutive NPL Midlands win for Valley.

The key moment came when Rugby crowded out the Students high up the pitch with Sam Tye feeding Mardenborough who carried the ball into the box before sending an excellent low shot past Jude Sadler.

Before that Josh Thomas had done superbly to clear a shot off the goalline after it seemed that Marcus Bald had been impeded after a Loughborough corner.

Greg Tempest's low shot came agonisingly close to doubling the lead and Tye had a great chance just before half time but saw his effort well snuffed out by Sadler following Mardenborough's lay-off.

After the break Rugby contrived to pass up a plethora of big chances after Tye skewed an effort wide from the edge of the area.

Harrison Nee found himself clean through running in from the left after a defensive slip but he curled his shot over the bar before Cairo Taylor did all the hard work in powering from his own half into the Students' penalty area before blasting his effort over the bar.

Sadler made another excellent stop to prevent Mardenborough who was clean through before Nathan Kabeya was unlucky not to score from the edge of the area after some fine skill to create a shooting chance.

Loughborough piled on the pressure on in stoppage time looking for an equaliser throwing everyone forward and it almost paid off in the 99th minute but the ball somehow stayed out the net after an almighty goalmouth scramble.

Full report to follow.

Valley Line-up: Bald; Kabeya, Lundoloki, Thomas, McNeil; Tempest (Martin 75'), Elliott (Sahota 85'), Tye; Taylor (Anaebonam 68'), Nee (Hanson 90'), Mardenborough (Organ 85'). Subs not used: None. Booked: Thomas, Kabeya, Martin, Nee, Taylor.