Rugby Town were on the wrong end of a tight and entertaining game at Butlin Road as Knowle continued their winning run with a late winner by Talib Copeland.
After trailing by a goal at the break, Jake Wormleighton headed Rugby level just before the hour mark before both teams had good chances to win it, but it was Knowle who struck the killer blow ten minutes from time.
Rugby boss Grant Joshua reverted to a back-four for the game which meant a return to the starting line-up for midfielder Charlie Tilley in place of Ryley Nicholson against the divisional newcomers who are flying high in the table after having enjoyed back-to-back promotions.
Odane Barnes flicked a header wide early on as the visitors made a bright start, although Sam Tye also missed out with an attempted header at the back-post.
Knowle took the lead on twelve minutes though, when their skipper Jack Duggan rose highest to expertly head a Hayden Purves' corner into the bottom corner.
Talib Copeland headed wide, and then George Seeley almost added a telling connection to Purves mis-hit low strike, with the dangerous Copeland sending an ambitious overhead effort off-target after a delivery from the right by Purves.
Rugby finally settled into the game around the half hour mark, with a strong penalty appeal for a foul in the box on Aaron Nuttall turned down, and a threatening Nuttall cross to the near post gathered by Knowle keeper Matt Horton.
Stephan Morley's deflected, low free-kick was also taken by Horton after a promising run from Devonn O'Sullivan was halted illegally, and Sam Tye's effort from the edge of the penalty area was blocked, with Rivel Mardenborough just unable to take advantage of the resulting loose ball.
Town's bright spell continued, and Morley fired one comfortably off-target from distance and Mardenborough headed a Morley cross wide.
The visitors still looked to pose a threat though, and Seeley almost finished off a Purves cross from a prostrate position, and Purves then fired one over the bar after a quick counter attack shortly before the half-time break.
Rugby re-emerged for the new period with notable intent, with Wormleighton heading wide Morley's free-kick and a Tilley cross being just cut-out.
Wormleighton did find the target though on 57 minutes after Horton missed Morley's corner to allow the Valley centre-half to equalise with his head from close range.
Nuttall's rasping effort was then pushed up and away by Horton, whilst at the other end Copeland ran onto Dylon Bennett's threaded pass before seeing Bodycote do well to keep out his well-struck shot.
Bodycote parried Seeley's strike and Copeland's follow-up attempt was blocked, with a further shot from Seeley going wide all in the same phase of play.
Chances kept coming at both ends, and Horton did well to save Mardenborough's strike from a tight angle, although a half-volley from O'Sullivan from thirty-plus yards failed to trouble the Knowle stopper shortly after.
Horton did manage to gather a decent low strike from Louis Samuels, and then Tye almost took advantage when finding space behind the away defence, with Horton also pulling a fine full length stop to keep out a Morley free-kick.
Samuels' effort was blocked after a scramble on the edge of the box, before the visitors struck the critical blow when Copeland shrugged off Nicholson near the byline and then cut back into the area to powerfully smash the ball past Bodycote.
Sub Zidan Sutherland had a shot blocked and Samuels fired over, and Ben Richards headed Mardenborough's cross wide as the hosts pushed for another leveller.
However, it was not to be for Town, and they were lucky not to concede a third just before the final whistle when Bodycote was out well to deny Tom Kinsey after fellow sub Wayne Muyabi's run on the break had opened up a late opportunity.
Valley
Line-up: Bodycote; Scott (Nicholson 31'), Morley (Ashmore 79'), Richards, Wormleighton; O'Sullivan, Tilley, Tye; Samuels, Nuttall (Sutherland 75'), Mardenborough. Subs not used: Dulgheru, Cooper. Booked: Scott, Mardenborough.
