Bromsgrove Rovers 2

Halesowen Town 1

FA Trophy

ROVERS' biggest crowd of the season was treated to a spirited clash as the home side caused a shock in the FA Trophy.

Joe Jackson's men produced a gritty performance to dump their high-flying neighbours from the Southern League Premier Division out of non-league's premier competition.

But the 552 strong crowd had to suffer a tense final ten minutes as desperate Halesowen scored late on after strikes by Nicky Campbell and Arthur Appleton had given Bromsgrove a deserved lead.

Bromsgrove may have been underdogs, but they started the match as the stronger side, with Leon Allen putting striker Leon Mitchell through in the first minute. However, goalkeeper Chris Taylor blocked the striker.

The home side was given a scare when former Rovers player Richard Burgess won a looping pass into the box, but his shot went over.

Industrious midfielder Ryan Mahon then wasted a glorious chance to open the scoring in the sixth minute. Mitchell had marauded down the right wing and his cross was missed by burly striker Arthur Appleton.

However, it fell to the late arriving Mahon who managed to connect with the ball from an awkward angle, only for his shot to cannon off the cross bar.

Rovers had their tails up, but Appleton was unable to send the ball back into the box and his cross sailed out harmlessly for a free kick.

Their opponents wasted little time in hitting back and goalkeeper Matt Lowe missed a corner under pressure in the 16th minute, which fell to Halesowen striker Lewis Baker.

The 'keeper made up for it by blocking Baker's shot and then stopping former Birmingham City player Jimmy Haarhoff's follow up.

Mahon and Baker clashed after a scything tackle from behind by Rovers' hard working midfielder, as both sides struggled for supremacy in the middle of the pitch.

The Bromsgrove crowd then cheered as former captain Steve Pope's free-kick hit the wall in the 34th minute, after Mark Benbow had fouled Haarhoff on the edge of the box.

Striker Leon Mitchell was spoken to by referee after a clumsy tackle behind on Dan Jones, while Marcus Jackson was booked for dangerous play.

Rovers came out for the second half with the same verve as the first and four minutes into it Campbell put his side ahead with a brilliant goal.

Jackson, who had given Halesowen a torrid time out wide, broke free and stormed towards Halesowen's box.

The leaping Campebell, who had nipped in-between the Yeltz's static defence, headed his pin-point cross past the helpless Taylor. The live wire forward then treated the celebrating Bromsgrove fans to a somersault that was almost as spectacular as his finish.

Bromsgrove were forced to defend for long periods, with Baker shooting wide, while Steve Ulfig was booked.

Striker Paul Szewcyk came on in the 70th minute and he distracted Halesowen's defence enough to allow Arthur Appleton to head home Mark Benbow's free kick.

Rovers' two goal lead was short-lived as Burgess pounced on some slack marking to score from a Halesowen free kick.

Bromsgrove were forced to defend for the final minutes, but despite Halesowen's pressure they could not find a way past the impressive Lowe.

Bromsgrove Rovers: LOWE (8), Benbow (7), Ulfig (7), Hillman (7), Collins (7), Mahon (7), Jackson (7), Allen (6), Appleton (7), Campbell (7), Leon Allen (6) (Szewczyk 70).