Saturday, January 27, 2001

PLUCKY Bromsgrove Rovers came back from the dead to score two goals in the final two minutes as they snatched a 3-3 draw at Shepshed Dynamo in the Dr Martens League Western Division.

Shaun Bedward and Michael Crawford struck late to earn another vital league point for the Greens and continue their unbeaten league run this year.

It's a good tonic for the club ahead of today's winding-up order in a Liverpool court, although Rovers are optimistic of an adjournment.

Not for the first time they started badly by conceding an early goal from a penalty. Lee McGlinchey despatched the spot-kick after being upended by Rovers skipper Quentin Townsend on five minutes.

It was an awful start and one which could have seen Bromsgrove crumble.

But they levelled after 43 minutes when Steve Frost bundled the ball into the net from Michael Crawford's left-wing free kick, despite 'keeper Dean Thomas's plea that he had been impeded.

Shepshed regained their advantage seven minutes after the break when McGlinchey's centre set up Michael McLarnon on the edge of the area after Stephen Padmore failed to clear the danger, and McLarnon's shot arrowed past Nore Gabbidon.

It looked all over 11 minutes from time when John Folwell beat three players down the right flank and centred for Liam Walshe to score from close-range.

Bromsgrove looked dead and buried, but to their credit, they never gave up.

Padmore's neat left wing centre evaded everyone apart from Bedward, who converted the easiest of chances from close range after 89 minutes.

Rovers piled on the pressure in a last-ditch bid to get something out of the game. John Humphrey's right wing free kick caused panic in the Shepshed area and Crawford pounced on the loose ball to score and send the travelling Rovers fans wild.

Rovers: Gabbidon 7, M Beard 6, Ulfig 6 (Miley 59, 6), Townsend 7, S Frost 6, Biddle 6 (Bayliss 59, 6), Benbow 7, J Beard 7 (Humphrey 73), Bedward 8, Crawford 7, Padmore 7.

Star man: Shaun Bedward

Attendance: 156.