Valley progressed to the next round of the FA Vase but made hard work of it against lower league Shawbury United.

After going a goal down early on Rugby responded to overturn the deficit to lead by two before half time but then after seemingly cruising during the second half Shawbury made life extremely difficult in the closing stages once they got a goal back and came close to forcing the game to a penalty shoot-out.

Shawbury striker Albay Sowe caught defender Ryley Nicholson napping and raced onto a simple header in the opening five minutes to nip the ball past the on-rushing Ash Bodycote into the net.

Nicholson made amends a few minutes later when he rose to head in Steph Morley's corner.

Debutant right back Lewi Burnside provided the assist amidst loud appeals from the opposition that the ball had gone out of play as he clipped a lofted pass for Charlie Tilley to run onto and the midfielder composed himself before tucking a low shot from a tight angle into the far corner.

Newly-appointed club captain Jake Wormleighton scored the third before the break when he arrived at the far post to volley into the net from Aaron Nuttall's deflected cross after a short free-kick routine.

Sowe fully capitalised on a mistake by Wormleighton, intercepting his pass before latching onto a throughball to finish first time past Bodycote to reduce the arrears.

After this goal the afternoon changed for Rugby from comfortable to very uncomfortable one as Shawbury were able to apply more pressure.

Sowe thought he had scored a hat-trick soon after but his effort was ruled out for offside while substitute Ben Richards was able to get back just in time after Sowe had a heavy touch when he seemed to be clean through on goal.

Nuttall, Louis Samuels and Burnside all had efforts from the edge of the box saved before Rugby had the chance to kill the tie when Rivel Mardenborough was pushed in the back in the box but the striker was unable to beat goalkeeper Jack Boswell from the spot in the final minute of the game.

There was still time for Shawbury to have one more chance in stoppage time as Bodycote made an excellent save to tip over Ethan Pickford's shot from the edge of the area.

Full report to follow.

Valley Line-up: Bodycote; Burnside, Morley (Richards 65'), Nicholson, Wormleighton; O'Sullivan (Duffy 65'), Chiha, Tilley; Samuels, Nuttall, Mardenborough. Subs not used: Sutherland, Cook, Cooper. Booked: None.