Rugby take the points in top of the table clash

the visitors draw level on points and edge 2nd place on goal difference.

An uncharacteristic nervy start by the home saw Rugby take the initiative, Edwin Ahenkorah seized on a loose ball to set up Lewis Rankin on the edge of the box but the shot pulled wide watched by home keeper Lewis Elsom.

The visitors made the break through on 8 mins, Keenah Rosser's cross cum shot was parried away by Elsom into the path of Rankin who slammed the ball home from 6 yards.

Rugby were close to a second when a weak clearance from Charlie Coulson allowed Justin Marsden a shooting opportunity only to skew it wide, Charlie Evans had a free header from Rankin’s corner but was high of the target.

Unfortunately for the spectators the visitors started to use ‘time consuming tactics’ that the inept referee took no action against and the game turned into a poor spectacle with only glimpses of good play.

Rangers started to settle, Dan Jarvis played a good ball into the Valley box where Michael Simpson’s header saw Matt Hill spill his save to reclaim just before Scott Mooney could pounce, Coulson’s good play found Mooney, his touch allowed Dan Flack space to get to the goal line, his ball picking out Jarvis whose shot hit colleague Cameron Johnson and was cleared.

Mooney’s sublime touch allowed Dan Schiavi into the visitors box where a good blocking challenge from Dominic Perkins thwarted the danger from the goal bound drive.

The best action of the first half saw Mooney flick the ball on, Johnson hit a cracking volley on the turn towards the top corner where Hill’s flying save tipped the ball over.

The home side were close again, Mooney found himself behind the Valley back line to lob the advancing Hill from 30 yards with the ball dropping inches wide of the empty goal.

Half Time – Deeping Rangers 0 Rugby Town 1

The visitors employed the same tactics in the second period and the home side and spectators became ever more frustrated by the referee’s lack of action on the ‘time consuming tactics’.

Rangers saw another chance as Mooney chested down for Jarvis to collect, he got space but the shot was weak, Jarvis then pounced on a loose ball to see his blast hit Hill as he made the save.

Johnson was injured as he tackled Marsden and was replaced and the home were out of the game as two quick goals gave the visitors a resounding victory – Ahenkorah’s good skill saw him into the home box where his blast rebounded off of the post for the arriving Simeon Tulloch to drive back into the far corner on 59 mins.

Before the Clarets could regroup it was three on 63 mins, Ahenkorah’s corner was met by Evans, his glancing header fell for Valley skipper Loyiso Recci to smash home from 5 yards at the back post.

Deeping were close to a consolation as Simpson fed Schiavi whose low drive needed Hill to get down to push away from the foot of the post.

Valley’s Ahenkorah saw his run and good shot bring a fine save from Elsom on the post while at the other end Flack’s deep free kick eluded Hill’s attempt to claim, Luke Hunnings heading back into the goal area where Liam Francis nicked the ball away as David Burton-Jones looked to apply the finish.

So the superb winning streak is ended, Rangers now have to regroup and look forward to the next challenge which is a visit to pace setters Daventry Town next Saturday (2nd March).

Full Time – Deeping Rangers 0 Rugby Town 3

Match Sponsor – HEINEKEN UK

Attendance: 189

Deeping Rangers: 1. Lewis Elsom, 2. Dan Flack, 3. Josh Pike, 4. David Burton-Jones ©, 5. Luke Hunnings, 6. Dan Jarvis, 7. Michael Simpson (14. Matt Carter – 84), 8. Charlie Coulson, 9. Scott Mooney, 10. Dan Schiavi, 11. Cameron Johnson (12. Tyler Walker - 57)

Subs (not used): 15. Jack Marsden, 16. Danny Bircham

Rugby Town: 1. Matthew Hill, 2. Keenah Rosser, 3. Simeon Tulloch, 4. Liam Francis, 5. Loyiso Recci ©, 6. Dan Summerfield, 7. Lewis Rankin (14. Harry Holloway – 84), 8. Justin Marsden (17. Dan Kavanagh – 75), 9. Charlie Evans (15. – 79 ), 10. Edwin Ahenkora, 11. Dominic Perkins

Subs (not used): 16. Josh Steele, 18. Louis Connor

Referee: Daniel Cobbett

Assistants: Richard King and Louisa Thorold