Tuesday, October 14, 2003

BROMSGROVE Rovers suffered an FA Cup hangover as they drew 1-1 at Sutton Coldfield Town in the Dr Martens Western.

Despite a 7.30pm kick-off catching fans out, George Rooney's side, with Paul Wyatt and Dave Benton missing injured, were poor in the first half.

And they were behind on 11 minutes. Kevin Banner, playing the centre of defence, made a mistake with a header and Dean Perrow seized his opportunity to slide the ball under Ian Gandy.

Sutton, justifying their high league position, had further chances to increase their lead before the break, the best falling to Emeka Ejiofor who volleyed over from a good position.

Rovers' best effort of the half came seconds before the whistle when Mark Benbow was denied by Justin Bray following good work by debut maker Michael Swan and Danny Scheppel.

The visitors, better in the second period, equalised nine minutes after the break. Grant Beckett delivered a corner and Steve Frost headed the ball between Bray and the post.

On 76 minutes, Bray mis-kicked a clearance to Peter Sutton, but he put the ball wide of the post. Four minutes later Gandy pulled off an excellent one-handed save to deny Perrow his second.

Sutton's Lucan Spittle cleared off the line two minutes from time as substitute Mark Atkinson closed in.

ROVERS

GANDY 8*, Frost (sub Hughes 90 mins) 7, Hillman 7, Banner 6, Pope 7, Beckett 6, Jackson 6, Scheppel 7, Sutton (sub Atkinson 76 mins) 5, Benbow 7, Swan 8. Subs not used: Dyson, Dawson, Tompkins. Att: 228.

Report from STEVE RIDDICK.