Thursday, April 19, 2000

BROMSGROVE Rovers took a small step towards Dr Martens League Western Division survival with a battling 2-1 victory over plucky Paget Rangers last night.

It was a generally nervous performance from the Greens, but Costas Xiourouppa's first half goal, coupled with Lee Hughes' strike after the break, sealed the points.

It took Rovers 37 minutes to break the deadlock. Kevin Banner made inroads off Luke Yates' through-ball down the right and struck a firm shot at 'keeper Matt Pugh, who could only parry it and Xiourouppa pounced on the rebound.

Bromsgrove doubled their lead two minutes after the interval when Pugh bungled Lee Hughes' hopeful 25-yard shot into his own net.

Just when it looked like Rovers were in the driving seat, Paget pulled a goal back after 64 minutes. Simon Walker picked up a loose ball on the edge of Bromsgrove's area and lashed a volley past Elliott Morris into the roof of the net.

It turned out to be a nervy ending for Steve Daniels' new-look side but to their credit they held on to their slender lead and just about deserved the points.

Rovers: Morris 8, Watson 8, Hughes 8, Townsend 8, Frost 7 (McFarlane 45, 8), Bridgewater 9, Yates 8, Ball 7, Xiourouppa 7 (Nicholls 77), Banner 8, Beckett 7.

H Star man: David Bridgewater.

Attendance: 221.