Valley completed thier pre-season schedule with a good performance and victory over NPL Midlands side AFC Rushden and Diamonds.

Rivel Mardenborough's goal just after the hour-mark was the only goal in the game and while the visitors posed a threat from set pieces it was Valley who were able to create the best chances forcing former goalkeeper Charlie Woods into a number of saves.

Ryan Bridgewater, Sam Tye and Ryan Boothe replaced Nathan Scott, Harrison Nee and Charlie Tilley from the side that narrowly lost to Step 3 Bromsgrove Sporting at the weekend - whilst academy graduate Dylan Cook also came into the squad.

It was Valley who started on the front foot, with a header flashing just wide from the edge of the six yard box following an excellent corner delivery.

Diamonds had their own set-piece fun a few minutes later, winning a free-kick deep in the Valley half, but were unable to beat the wall and the ball was eventually cleared to safety.

A swift counterattack culminated in a tame effort from Boothe and a Mardenborough effort was blocked on the edge of the box as Valley continued to knock down the door against a staunch Diamonds defence.

Our visitors began to grow into the game however, with a long-range effort followed up by some sharp work on the right wing as Ben Richards was adjudged not to have committed a foul in the box despite protest.

The momentum continued as Bridgewater made a sharp interjection to ensure Rugby made the halfway mark level following a threatening low cross from the left-hand side.

Valley started the second half strongest as Aaron Nuttall intercepted a loose ball to set Boothe free, but the number nine could only fire at a relieved goalkeeper.

Five minutes later Rugby were threatening again, with some sharp play around the box somehow not resulting in a goal as Nuttall shot narrowly over. The pressure continued as Mardenborough forced a low save from Woods just before the hour and soon after Boothe failed to poke round the corner having been cleverly slipped in by Nuttall.

Valley finally got their reward in the 61st minute though, with a long ball from Tye finding the run of Mardenborough, who did well to open his body and slot into the far corner to open the scoring.

Shortly after, Diamonds fired into the wall from another short range free kick before being forced into a smart last ditch clearance from a rapid Rugby counter.

Nee looked bright off the bench, being unfortunate not to earn a penalty prior to being felled on the edge of the D. Boothe stepped up but was unable to generate enough dip as the ball flashed narrowly over.

Bodycote and Woods exchanged smart saves late on, but Valley managed to hold on for a well earned 1-0 victory against their higher ranked opposition.

Valley Line-up: Bodycote; Ashmore, Richards, Bridgewater, Wormleighton; Samuels, Nuttall, O'Sullivan, Tye; Mardenborough, Boothe. Subs not used: Scott, Nee, Dulgheru, Cook, Cooper, Petkovic.