LINDON Meikle’s late goal earned Rugby Borough a 1-0 win against local rivals Rugby Town in the first-ever derby clash between the two teams.
Miekle headed home on 76 minutes to put Borough ahead with Valley unable to find a leveller in the remaining minutes in front of 1,169 spectators at Butlin Road.
The result leaves Borough eighth in the Northern Premier League Midlands table with Valley down in 15th.
More than 1,000 supporters packed into Butlin Road for the historic derby clash as Valley and Borough locked horns in a competitive match for the first time.
The occasion proved a cagey affair as Valley spurned the game’s first chance when Harrison Nee close-range volley flew over the crossbar.
Chances remained at a premium throughout as Rivel Mardenborough saw his effort deflected behind by Borough’s Oran Jackson.
Borough also saw a penalty appeal turned away by the referee after Aaron Nuttall went to ground in the box under a challenge from Nathan Kabeya.
After the break, Borough goalkeeper Sam Lomax tipped Jack Concannon’s rising effort from the edge of the penalty area over the crossbar.
However, Borough broke the deadlock late on with their only attempt on goal as Meikle headed in Ellis Myles’ cross from the right from six-yards out.
Valley searched for an equaliser at the death but could not find a leveller as Kabeya blazed the home side’s best opening over the bar.
Borough took the local bragging rights while ending their five-game winless run in the process.
Valley are now winless in their last five league matches, losing three games in a row for the first time since August.
Borough are next in action against Carlton Town on Saturday, December 6 with kick-off at 3pm at Kilsby Lane.
Valley face another local derby against Racing Club Warwick on Saturday, December 6 with kick-off at 3pm at Butlin Road.
