A GOAL in either half by Kevin Thornton and Rob Parker kept Rugby Town’s play-off charge on track after they beat Goole 2-0 in the Northern Premier League Division One South.
Manager Dale Belford kept faith with the team who won impressively against Coalville in midweek with leading goalscorer David Kolodynski on the bench and Mitchell Piggon retained his place in the starting line up.
The game started slowly with no side making their presence felt and the first effort on goal came in the 18th minute from Goole when Billy Law saw his strike hit the post with Sam Andrew seemingly beaten in the Rugby goal.
The visitors thought they had took the lead just over the half-hour mark but the effort was ruled out after a clear offside.
Rugby had to wait until the 33rd minute for their first sight on goal, with Piggon having a low shot from close range comfortably saved by Daniel Waring.
Town took the lead in the 43rd minute. Callum Powell with his quick pace got to the byeline, he passed into the area and Kevin Thornton, in space, slide footed in from ten yards out.
The second half started just as good as the first half ended for Rugby when Rob Parker scored in successive games for the first time in the 47th minute.
Mattias Curley delivered a decent ball towards the danger zone and Parker looped a header into the net when Waring really should have done better.
Rugby were now in complete control creating plenty of chances to increase their lead.
Thornton had his scuffed shot saved and substitute Kurtis Revan unleashed a powerful shot but his effort was punched away from danger.
Defender Tom James had an audacious shot hit the bar from a wide angle, and Piggon nearly pounced onto a spill from Waring from Revans previous effort.
In the 89th minute, substitute Nathan Joynes nearly scored a consolation for Goole but captain Steve Towers produced a goal clearance.
