Rovers given early gift

A FREAK goal handed hard working Rovers some early Christmas cheer at the Short Lane stadium on Saturday.

Toothless Rovers were given a timely seasonal gift by Ashford captain Ross Davidson, when he deflected the ball into his own team's net in the second half.

It was hard luck on the Middlesex side, who had matched Jimmy Mullen's in-form outfit for much of the game.

In fact, Bromsgrove were indebted to goalkeeper Matt Lowe, who made a brilliant save to deny Ashford substitute Scott Harris in the 79th minute.

However, Rovers had to show their grit as referee Mr Mackrell found seven minutes of injury time.

Loan signing Matt Gardiner was handed his first start since joining from Redditch United on loan when he came in for the injured Steve Frost.

Rovers made an positive start, but Lowe was the first 'keeper called into action when he held onto Lee Passmore's shot in the second minute.

Kevin Banner's corner in the seventh minute was then intercepted by Ashford defender Steve Battams.

Striker Paul Szewczyk out-muscled three defenders on the edge of the box, but his aimless cross went high and wide.

Leon Mitchell posed a threat when he raced towards Riad Erraij's through ball - but 'keeper Paul Burgess beat him to it in the 15th minute.

Diminutive striker Scott Todd had a chance to break the deadlock in the 23rd minute after Ryan Mahon gave the ball away on the right, but he shot wide.

Lowe suffered a head injury when Anthony Eggington collided with him in the 35th minute.

Mitchell then wasted Rovers' best chance of the half, when he headed Gardiner's curling long ball inches wide of the right hand post.

Todd wriggled free in the 46th minute, but was closed down by Steve Hillman.

Gardiner had to be alert in the first minute of second half, when he kept the advancing Shane Graham at bay.

Banner's free kick flew just wide of Burgess' right hand post minutes later, before Todd breached Rovers'offside trap - only to shoot straight at Lowe.

Battams injured himself by denying Bromsgrove a certain opener.

The defender bravely headed out Mitchell's cross from beneath the bar under pressure from Szewczyk.

But finally Rovers' pressure told when Davidson chested Mitchell's cross past a wrong footed Burgess in the 72th minute.

Ashford hit back with gusto and Lowe got down smartly to deny the advancing Harris' stinging shot.

He then reacted quickly to block Todd's follow-up.

Substitute Delton Francis and Mitchell then wasted chances to put the game away in the final minutes.

However, Rovers had to hold desperately onto their slender lead as Ashworth were handed seven minutes of injury time.

ROVERS: Lowe 8, Gardiner 8, Ulfig 7, Steve Hillman 7, Collins 7, Erraji 7, Mahon 6 (Daniels), Szewczyk 6 (Francis), Mitchell 7, Banner 7.

Attendance: 128

By Peter McKinney