Bromsgrove Rovers (0) 0

Stratford Town (1) 1

Midland Alliance

DEFENDER Jon Ford made his comeback for Bromsgrove Rovers last night but was unable to save the team from defeat.

Stratford took the lead after five minutes when Scott Darroch beat the Rovers off-side trap and Ford's challenge to bury the ball past Mathew Lowe.

The visitors created more chances but they failed to take them, Darroch and John Bryant being the main culprits.

Rovers tried to redeem the situation but there were too many mis-placed passes in a woeful first-half performance.

Steve Daniels's men improved in the second period and after 63 minutes Kevin Banner got round the back of the defence and crossed but the ball was taken off Paul Moore's foot as he was about to shoot.

Matt Coppin headed wide from Steve Frost's centre on 66 minutes. Two minutes later Rovers had the ball in the net but only after Frost clattered keeper Warren Ayres - who also ended up in the net.

Ayres made a good fingertip save from Coppin and foiled Paul Moore as Rovers pushed hard for an equaliser.

Simon Fostock went close for the visitors on 78 minutes but the last ten minutes was all Rovers.

Ayres was still in top form, making reflex saves from Coppin and Paul Moore.

Rovers huffed and puffed but could not break down a well marshalled defence to get the goal their second half performance deserved.

Rovers: Lowe, Porter, Lloyd, Hillman, Brookes, Ford, McHugh, Frost, M Moore (sub Banner 33 mins), Coppin, P Moore. Subs not used: Sumnall, Wright.