RUGBY Town exited the FA Cup at the first hurdle after slipping to a 2-1 defeat at Coton Green in the extra preliminary round.
Valley suffered their first defeat against lower league opposition in the FA Cup since 2011.
FA Cup debutants Coton Green play one level below Valley at Step Five as new Rugby boss Grant Joshua tasted defeat in his first game in charge of the club.
Goals from Corey Powell and Josh Beeson put Coton Green in command only for Luke Fox to see red for the hosts seven minutes from time.
Rugby made the most of the extra man to halve the deficit as Harrison Nee finished on the rebound after he saw his initial penalty saved.
However, the goal proved too little too late as Valley were made to pay for missing a number of chances throughout the contest.
Joshua handed debuts to eight players at New Mill Lane with only Josh Thomas and Caine Elliott the only starters from last season’s squad.
And Valley made the worst possible start as the visitors failed to deal with a ball into the box from the right and Powell lashed home from close range after just seven minutes.
Coton Green spurned a golden chance to double their lead after the break as Jay Henry saw his initial cleared off the line before he somehow blazed the rebound over from close range.
However, the hosts eventually made their pressure count on 81 minutes as substitute Beeson lobbed the ball over Ben Newey from 20-yards out following a counter attack.
The home side then had Fox sent off after he picked up a second yellow card for a foul on the edge of the penalty area.
And Valley won a penalty two minutes from time after Nee drew a foul in the box only to see his spot kick saved before he tucked away the rebound.
The visitors piled on the pressure in their search for an equaliser but could not find a way through in the remaining minutes.
Rugby begin their league campaign with a home game against Carlton Town on Saturday, August 9 with kick-off at 3pm at Butlin Road.
