RUGBY Town saw their five-game unbeaten run in all competitions following a 3-1 defeat away at Lichfield City.
A late goal from Rivel Mardenborough proved in vain as Lichfield substitute Dan Bradley struck deep into injury time to seal the points for the home side at the Trade Tyre Community Stadium.
That came after Jude Taylor and Joe Haines scored two quickfire goals after the break to put Lichfield in command before Rugby goalkeeper Marcus Bald saved Dan Lomas’s penalty.
The result means Valley sit 18th in the Northern Premier League Midlands table, one point above the relegation zone.
After a goalless first period, Lichfield broke the deadlock five minutes after half time when Taylor bundled the ball home from close range following a scramble in the box.
And the home side doubled their lead eight minutes later as Haines lashed a first time shot into the top-right corner from just inside the penalty area.
Lichfield won a penalty just past the hour mark when Bald brought down Taylor in the box.
However, Bald made amends moments later as he saved Lomas’s resulting penalty, diving to his right.
And Rugby halved the deficit on 74 minutes when Mardenborough pounced on a weak backpass and took the ball beyond Lichfield goalkeeper Brendon Bunn before finishing into an empty net.
However, Lichfield made sure of the points six minutes into injury time as Bradley curled a shot into the bottom right corner from the edge of the penalty area.
Rugby are next in action against Boldmere St Michaels on Tuesday, September 30 with kick-off at 7.45pm at Butlin Road.
