Tuesday, January 14, 2003

BROMSGROVE Rovers were on the wrong end of three goals in four minutes as rivals Redditch United triumphed 2-1 at the Valley Stadium.

Gary Hackett and Jon Ford's side battled hard for large periods of a competitive game that only came to life on 70 minutes when Jimmy Quiggan put the Reds in front.

The game started strongly with Richard Burgess getting a header on target for Rovers and Quiggan getting booked for the hosts.

Paul Danks, returning to his old stamping ground, fired a warning shot at Richard Anstiss on 23 minutes.

Redditch though were enjoying the greater first half possession but they lacked ideas and failed to create anything in the final third.

Rovers' best chance of the half fell to Steve Frost, who headed Kevin Banner's cross inches wide two minutes before the break.

And right on half time, Naveed Arshad completely wasted Matty Hall's cross by heading tamely at Matt Lowe.

Following Morgan Brookes' early second half caution, Rovers were put on the rack by Rod Brown's side.

Quiggan had a shot smothered by Lowe on 56 minutes and three minutes later Nicky Clarke sliced his kick in totally the opposite direction to goal when hitting the target appeared a formality.

Redditch finally broke through on 70 minutes. Substitute Chris Rowell's cross could only be helped into Quiggan's path by Frost and the Redditch front man stabbed the ball home.

But 60 seconds later Rovers were level when Anstiss inexplicably dropped the ball at Danks' feet in the penalty area, leaving the former Red with an open goal to equalise.

The visiting fans' joy was short lived though as Redditch hit back two minutes later.

Another pinpoint cross from Rowell was palmed out by Lowe conveniently for Hall to pounce and put the hosts back in front.

Rowell almost made it three but his shot was deflected up and over Lowe's goal with eight minutes left.

Redditch's Neil Manton was sent off for his second bookable offence in injury time.

ROVERS

Lowe 6, Benbow (sub Cartwright 68 mins) 6, Banner 7, BROOKES 8*, McHugh (sub Read 78 mins) 7, Pope (sub Clifton 81 mins) 6, Dyson 7, Beckett 6, Burgess 7, Danks 7, Frost 7. Sub not used: Hackett.

Att - 667.