IAN King secured his first win as Rugby Town manager following a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Bedworth United on Boxing Day.
A penalty early in the second half from Trey Charles ended Valley’s six-game winless run in the league as Rugby secured a first home win at Butlin Road since August.
That came after King started his reign with a 2-1 defeat at Darlaston Town as Charles struck again while Ethan O’Toole received two yellow cards in quick succession for dissent.
And the result means Rugby sit five points from safety in the Northern Premier League Midlands relegation zone.
The game’s defining moment came seven minutes after half time as Harrison Nee chased Paul Hathaway’s long ball and went down in the box as he shaped to shoot.
Valley’s top scorer Charles stepped up and made no mistake from penalty spot to score his 15th goal of the season.
Rugby almost doubled their lead only for Bedworth goalkeeper Liam O’Brien to somehow keep out MJ Semahimbo’s effort from point-blank range.
The home side survived a scare late on when Will Grocott’s free-kick from 25-yards out hit the crossbar.
Rugby are next in action against Racing Club Warwick on Wednesday, January 1 with kick-off at 3pm at Townsend Meadow.
