MADUNDO SEMAHIMBO scored his second goal in as many games as Rugby Town secured an impressive 2-1 win away at Newport Pagnell Town to end their four-game winless run.
Semahimbo scored the winning goal on 73 minutes, having scored his first goal for the club last weekend, after David Kolodynski had put Valley ahead on 21 minutes.
And despite Jordan Wright briefly pulling Newport Pagnell level on 64 minutes, Rugby struck again to complete a league double over their opponents.
The result means Valley move above Newport into third in the United Counties League Premier Division South table, one point clear of the Willen Road club who have three games in hand.
A quiet opening saw Rugby goalkeeper Ash Bodycote comfortably deal with Leon Lobjoit’s low shot from the edge of the area before Danny Webb’s strike drifted wide of the target.
At the other end, Kolodynski’s excellent strike was tipped onto the post by Newport keeper Martin Conway from Semahimbo’s flick-on before another of the striker’s efforts was deflected behind.
And from the resulting set-piece, Kolodynski timed his run perfectly to nod home Edwin Ahenkorah’s corner and put Rugby into a deserved lead.
Rugby could have doubled their lead before the break only for Ahenkorah to shoot straight at Conway before then almost getting on the end of Harry Eden’s dangerous free-kick.
Valley dominated after the break with Caine Elliott’s effort easily saved before a trademark Kolodynski overhead kick was cleared off the line and Conway tipped the latter’s header over the bar.
However, the home side drew level against the run of play when Wright scored a well-executed volley from Ben Ford’s pass.
And Rugby produced an immediate response when Semahimbo fired through the fingers of Conway from Elliott’s driven cross after good work from Ahenkorah down the right.
Newport Pagnell pressed for a leveller late on with Bodycote forced to a tip a flighted free-kick over his own bar but Valley held on to end a run of four games without a win in all competitions.
Rugby are next in action at home to Godmanchester Rovers on Saturday, March 19 with kick-off at 3pm at Butlin Road.
