Frustrated Rugby Town pay the penalty as they slide to trio of quickfire defeats
Rugby Town were literally made to pay the penalty in registering three Northern Premier League Midlands defeats within a week.
The disappointing run means it is just three points gained from 15 available so far this season, and leaves new Valley boss Grant Joshua looking for a winning formula ahead of their next league fixture on Saturday at Belper.
The first of the trio of setbacks came last Tuesday at home to title-favourites Corby Town, when despite being reduced to nine men for the bulk of the second half, Rugby put in a spirited performance in the 2-1 reverse.
The visitors took the lead from the spot on 13 minutes through Tyrone Lewthwaite, before Town suffered a disastrous 10 minute spell at the beginning of the second-half which saw Ryan Sahota miss a great chance for an equaliser ahead of the quickfire dismissals of Josh Thomas and Ollie West.
Even with the two-man shortfall, it was the home side that had the better of the remainder of the game, with Rivel Mardenborough reducing the arrears on 67 minutes - followed by a valiant but unsuccessful search for a leveller.
Saturday's trip to Anstey saw Valley take the lead thanks to skipper Sam Tye's low strike, but then they conceded another soft penalty just before the interval which Tendai Chitza stroked home.
Courey Graham eased the hosts ahead on the hour, with Rugby's best chance of an equaliser coming when Joe Palmer lifted one just too high of the frame.
Anstey sub Liam Murphy removed any hopes of a point for Town by poking one home late-on.
Bank Holiday Monday's fixture against Shepshed at Butlin Road was an extremely dour affair and was settled on 24 minutes by Jesse Friend - as lightning struck for a third-time and Rugby were on the wrong side of yet another penalty-kick award.
There was a dearth of goalmouth action thereafter, with neither side offering any real threat or quality, and as a result Valley slipped to 21st place in the table.
Rugby face another testing challenge this Saturday when they face a much-fancied Belper - who qualified for the NPL East play-offs last season.
Joshua will be without the suspended Thomas and West, although Mardenborough is expected to return.