RUGBY Town saw their winless run stretch to seven matches following a 3-0 home defeat against AFC Rushden and Diamonds.
An early goal from Joel Nketia put Rushden ahead before Tyler Winters struck either side of half time to inflict another defeat on Valley at Butlin Road.
And to compound the home side’s misery, Kobi Bivens saw an injury-time penalty saved to leave Rugby in relegation trouble.
The result means Valley sit 21st in the Northern Premier League Midlands relegation zone, four points from safety.
Rushden broke the deadlock on 11 minutes when Nketia glanced in Bruno Andrade’s free-kick from the right against the run of play.
And the Diamonds doubled their lead on 36 minutes as Winters controlled a pass in the box and finished through the legs of a defender and into the bottom right corner.
Winters sealed the points for the visitors on 53 minutes with another smart finish on the turn after Nathan Kabeya lost possession inside his own penalty area.
The home side had a chance to score a consolation goal at the death only for Dan Jezeph to save Bivens’ penalty diving low to his right.
Rugby host Long Eaton United on Saturday, March 14 with kick-off at 3pm at Butlin Road.
