Clevedon Town 2 Bromsgrove Rovers 3

Southern Division One West play-off semi-final

TOP scorer Paul Szewczyk ensured Bromsgrove Rovers' promotion dream is alive and kicking after pouncing in extra-time to settle a pulsating affair at the Hand Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday.

Szewczyk showed a cool head to score the decider from an acute angle in the 101st minute and set up a mouth watering all-Worcestershire derby at fierce rivals Evesham United in the play-off final on May 7.

In a hugely entertaining game both sides were unable to take control, as the advantage swung between Rovers and their Somerset opponents.

Striker Leon Mitchell was one of many heroes for Rovers, as he marked his comeback from a lengthy injury absence with a scintillating brace to force the game into extra-time.

Manager Jimmy Mullen opted to start with Mitchell instead of former Clevedon favourite Arthur Appleton. The Rovers boss also dropped first team stalwart Mark Benbow and put Steve Frost on the right wing.

However, Rovers deserved their place in next Saturday's final after passing a stern test set them by the home side in flying colours.

Both sides made a cagey start but Mullen's side settled any nerves early on by opening the scoring in the eighth minute.

Winger Kevin Banner's corner was cleared to Matt Gardiner on the left wing and he sent a probing ball back in. Banner collected on the right and Mitchell headed his centre in at the far post.

Minutes later Mitchell caused chaos in Clevedon's box as he drove in but goalkeeper Scott Corderoy got down well to take his cut back.

Captain Steve Hillman was on hand to clear Jack Pitcher's shot after goalkeeper Matt Lowe left the goal open when rushing out in the 13th minute.

But Lowe made up for his error when he dived to the left to parry 23-goal Pitcher's low shot behind for a corner in the 29th minute.

The visitors were soon on the attack and Steve Frost should have done better in the 33rd minute. Mitchell raced onto Banner's high ball and sent in a raking low cross. However, Frost mis-timed his run with the goal open.

The left-hand post denied Mitchell his second six minutes later after Erraji played him through and Adrian Needs blocked Szewczyk's follow-up.

Rovers were made to pay for their poor finishing when Phil Male brought down Grant Monelle in the 45th minute for a penalty, which Kye Holly coolly despatched.

Pitcher pounced on Holly's curling left wing cross, but he directed the ball at Lowe, who collected it at the second attempt in the 65th minute.

Division One West top scorer Thomas Jacobs though made no mistake to put Clevedon ahead in the 67th minute. Lowe punched Holly's corner but the ball fell to Jacobs, who placed it in the corner, while Rovers' defence tried to claim offside.

Mullen took off the half-fit Scott Hadland for Mark Benbow and his industry helped the visitors take hold in midfield.

A determined run by Szewczyk forced Bromsgrove's equaliser. The striker powered into Clevedon's box and fired in a low shot, which Mitchell stabbed home to level the scores.

Rovers were back in the ascendancy and Mullen's side went for Clevedon's throat.

After a sluggish first half midfielder Riad Erraji's influence grew as the game wore on and his header was acrobatically tipped over by Corderoy.

Erraji was inches off grabbing the winner in the 81st minute, when his curling free kick went just over the right hand post.

Rovers were let off the hook in the 92nd minute when Jacobs got the better of Gardiner down the right wing, cut into the box but scuffed his shot at Lowe.

But it was Bromsgrove who showed more composure in extra-time and forced the home team to chase the game.

Banner flashed a raking low shot just off target in 99th minute, but Szewczyk put his side in front moments later.

Substitute Arthur Appleton got a head to Banner's corner and the unmarked Szewczyk was the calmest man on the pitch as he arrowed a rising shot under the cross bar. The Rovers fans behind the goal exploded with joy and engulfed the hitman.

Despite growing pressure in the second half of extra-time, Rovers controlled the game to keep their promotion wagon rolling for another week.

Rovers: Lowe 8, Johnson 7, Hillman 7, Gardiner 7, Male 7, Frost 7, Hadland 7 (Benbow, 71mins, 7), Erraji 7, Szewczyk 9 (Barnes-Homer, 115mins, 7), Mitchell 9 (Appleton, 95mins, 7), Banner 8. Referee: Mr M Bull (Essex). Attendance: 427.

By Peter McKinney