DMW April 24, 2000

NABILITY to turn pressure into goals proved Rovers' downfall at the Valley Stadium on Monday.

After showing determination and attacking flair to cancel out the Reds' shock 34th second opener, the visitors failed to take their chances and were dealt a sucker punch by two rapid-fire strikes.

Just six minutes remained when Mickey Moore put the home side in front for a second time, following up after Mark Jones touched Paul Moore's shot onto the post.

With Rovers rockin' and rollin', impressive substitute Mark Smith stretched the game beyond their fingertips, dummying his man and curling a 20 yarder into the top corner.

The Greens simply had no response -- and could have conceded a fourth if Smith had connected with Paul Danks's pass.

Reds finished, as they'd started, on a high. Rob Smith's up and down side had taken the lead straight from the kick off when Nicky Cross was given all the time and space he needed to beat Jones with an 18 yard shot.

Ian Bennett then went close on four occasions -- twice he was denied by Jones -- while Rovers strove to get back in contention.

A much improved team effort after the break saw them dominate play. Mark Benbow missed a golden chance to equalise on 46 minutes, firing wide after Mark Bowater flicked on Tom Davies's free kick.

Ryan Daley brushed the bar and Andy Biddle drove tamely off target before the deserved equaliser arrived on 64 minutes.

Sub John Humphreys sprinted down the right wing and crossed from the corner flag for Daley, whose effort struck the post. However, Jamie Turpin pounced to run the ball over the line.

Now it was Redditch's turn to sweat as their local rivals gave them a brief footballing lesson. But their efforts came to nought, with both Sutton and Quentin Townsend directing the ball wide from good positions before Moore and Smith snatched the points.

Rovers: Jones, Townsend, Jinks, Davies, Bowater, Biddle, Brown (sub Humphreys 36), Turpin, Sutton, Daley, Benbow. Subs (unused): Pincher, Ulfig.

Attendance: 404. Rovers man of the match: Ryan Daley.