PAUL Szewczyk snatched three crucial points for Bromsgrove Rovers in their quest for a Dr Martens Western Division top seven spot with two late goals to beat Evesham United 2-1.

Rovers, who parted company with manager George Rooney last week, were staring at a fourth defeat in five games when top marksman Szewczyk struck on 86 and 89 minutes for a 2-1 victory.

The final whistle brought much jubilation from the Victoria Ground crowd -- but they spent much of a tense and scrappy game wondering if Rovers were ever going to score.

The hosts were more than worthy winners but caretaker player-manager Steve Pope could have made things a lot easier had he converted a 33rd minute penalty. Mark Bellingham was brought down but Tim Clarke pushed Pope's spot kick away to his right.

Flurries

Otherwise, both sides showed in occasional first half flurries with Steve Frost and Bellingham unlucky not to score. Inderpaul Khela and Jermaine Clarke had half chances for Dave Busst's side.

Rovers created several openings after the break with former England international Andy Sinton on his debut driving wide from 15 yards and Bellingham firing over six minutes later.

Evesham took the lead against the run of play on 68 minutes when Craig Pountney curled a superb free-kick past Matt Lowe from 20 yards.

Rovers though kept pushing forward and were finally rewarded when Szewczyk rose to head home Kevin Banner's corner four minutes from time.

The hosts continued to press and got the winner thanks to substitute Wesley Joyce's persistence. He beat goalkeeper Clarke to a seemingly lost cause on the by-line, cut the ball back across goal and Szewczyk finished it off.

Rovers: Lowe 7, Frost 7, Hillman 7, Pope 7, H BELLINGHAM 8 (Joyce 65, 7), Beckett 7, Benbow 8, Collins 6, Szewczyk 8, Sinton 7 (Mahon 83), Banner 7. Subs not used: Gandy, Douglin, Atkinson.

Evesham: Clarke 7, H SMITH 8, Bailey 6, Marsh 6, Khela 7 (Williams 45, 6), Pinkney 7, Burrow 6, Thomas 6, Clarke 7 (Nicholls 71), Pountney 7, Parker 6. Subs not used: West, Guest, Warmer.

Attendance: 372.