AFTER being displaced from Dr Martens Western top spot following three months leading the pack, Bromsgrove Rovers could only manage a goalless draw against third placed Weston-Super-Mare at The Victoria Ground.

The visitors opened strongly, with Matt Lowe saving Jody Bevan's header from Jonathan Miller's cross on 11 minutes.

The home team were forced to make an early substitution when Steve Frost was unable to continue after a clash with Michael Jackson. He was replaced by Matt Southwick.

On 19 minutes, Ryan Cross had a shot blocked by Steve Pope, Stuart Slate struck a free-kick straight at Lowe and Kevin Banner cleared Bevan's shot off the line on the stroke of half time.

Rovers had few chances in the first period. Substitute Southwick shot wide on 18 minutes and then, in first half injury time, Steve Lutz miskicked in front of goal after good work by Les Palmer and goalkeeper Stuart Jones saving from Southwick.

Weston's David Mehew saw a header go just wide on 57 minutes before a frantic last 30 minutes saw both teams have chances to take maximum points.

Denied

On 65 minutes Southwick's close range shot was palmed away by Jones and two minutes from time Jones denied Lutz's header with a low save on the goal line.

Weston had a great opportunity to secure maximum points, but James Edwards fired over from close range with only Lowe to beat.

In injury time Darren Bullock created an opportunity for Bromsgrove's man of the match Paul Danks, but the striker hit his shot narrowly wide.

ROVERS

Lowe 7, Benbow 6, Banner 6, Brookes 7, Bullock 7, Pope 6, Beckett 7 (sub Cartwright 74 mins), Lutz 6, Palmer 6 (sub Burgess 63 mins 6), DANKS 8*, Frost 6 (sub Southwick 9 mins 6).

Att - 511.

Match report by CHRIS FOX.