ALEX LOCK scored and was then sent off as Rugby Town dug deep to claim a deserved 1-0 win against local rivals Lutterworth Town.
Lock’s 43rd minute header proved decisive only to then be given his marching orders in first-half injury time following a melee at Dunley Way.
The win marked Rugby’s sixth successive victory in the United Counties League Premier Division South which leaves them fifth in the table.
Prolific striker David Kolodynski should have given Valley the lead when he ran onto Jamal Clarke’s through ball before shooting wide.
However, Rugby would eventually find the breakthrough when substitute Lock powered a downward header into the net from Max Johnson’s corner.
Tensions boiled over in first-half stoppage time when Lock’s challenge resulted in a melee between the two sets of players before the midfielder was given his matching orders.
The home side had their tails up in the second-half with Rugby keeper Ash Bodycote making a fine save to turn Callum Riley’s low strike around the post.
Kolodynski spurned a glorious opportunity to put the game to bed when he stroked Danico Johnson’s perfect cross wide.
Bodycote made one final save to deny Samuels with Lutterworth reduced to 10-men in the last minute when goalkeeper Austin Wood was sent to the sin bin.
Rugby are next in action at home to Easington Sports on Tuesday, December 28 with kick-off at 3pm at Butlin Road.
