IT'S the winning that counts and not always the way you do it - a statement true of Bromsgrove Rovers' 1-0 victory over Shepshed Dynamo at the Victoria Ground last Saturday.

In truth, the match really failed to get going in terms of attacking football and was only saved from a drab goalless stalemate by Les Palmer's winner on 72 minutes.

From the start, the match got itself bogged down in a physical midfield battle.

As early as the second minute Shepshed's Carl Lawrence had tackled his way into the referee's notebook after a late tackle on Les Palmer.

That set the tone for the rest of a first half in which the visitors enjoyed the lion's share of possession and looked the more likely to breakthrough.

Mark Clifton came to Rovers' rescue on two occasions. Firstly he cleared off the line from a Lee Quincey header and then made a decisive tackle on the edge of the penalty area to thwart a Shepshed attack.

The visitors continued to stay on top but it was Palmer, goal saviour in the same scoreline against Bedworth United last week, who saw the hosts' best chance of the half go begging.

Captain Stewart Brighton played a ball over the top, Kevin Banner crossed it and Palmer had his shot saved by Samion Quailly.

Ross Collins, on a month's loan from Halesowen Town, was looking useful in midfield for Rovers and showed the odd flash of skill that helped the Yeltz gain promotion last season.

But not even he could ignite Gary Hackett and Jon Ford's team into action and the first half was summed up when Palmer scuffed a shot on goal ten minutes before the break.

A poor second half was notable early on for just a booking for Shepshed's Andrew Davies and a substitution for each side.

Then, a moment that had not looked possible - a goal.

Indeed, Palmer's well taken winner on 72 minutes was the first shot on target for nearly half an hour.

Richard Burgess played a neat ball inside the defender, which Palmer ran on to and struck low beyond the goalkeeper into the far corner from 20 yards.

This momentarily sparked both sides into life but it seemed to have a greater affect on Shepshed as they lay siege to the home goal in the final 15 minutes.

But Rovers weren't finished either and both Clifton and substitute Ashley Read both missed good opportunities to seal the game.

Shepshed too had opportunities to level and the best fell to Jamie Newbold who somehow blazed wide of an open goal with four minutes left.

ROVERS

C Taylor 6, Benbow 6, Banner 7, CLIFTON 7*, Brighton 7, Ford 6, Collins 7, Southwick 6 (sub Dyson 65 mins), Palmer 6 (sub Danks 86 mins), Burgess 7 (sub Read 75 mins), Beckett 6.

Shepshed - Quailly, Stevens, Goodwin, Grassay, Lawrence, Greatrex, Davies, Warner, Quincey (sub Newbold 30 mins), Master, McGlinchy (sub Slater 69 mins). Subs not used: Morris, Hook, Hubbard.

Att: 409