HANDBAGS at ten paces, fireworks and a disallowed winner from striker Richard Burgess --- they were all included in Rovers' stalemate on Saturday.

And in truth, it was no more than the Greens deserved after their second half performance, rubbishing the form book that suggested a simple win for the Unibond Premier League Premier Division outfit.

Coming off the back of their 7-6 aggregate Worcester Royal Infirmary Cup Final triumph over Stourport Swifts, there was a renewed spirit and belief within the Bromsgrove ranks.

But their cause wasn't helped in the pre-match preparations when new signings Alex Winstone and Kevin Jinks were forced to miss the trip to Greater Manchester because they were stuck in the Herefordshire floods.

Droylsden started the match as they meant to go on, pouring forward with their superior pass and move football creating problems for Rovers' back-line. A quagmire of a pitch told its own story, with the home side turning Bromsgrove's patch into a bog.

It wasn't until the second half that the balance of play swung in Rovers' favour, with Craig Pountney ferreting down the left wing like a man on a mission. He spurned a number of chances which he created on his own initiative, and should have made panic-stricken Droylsden pay.

But Pountney was almost made to suffer along with team-mate Joe Beard in an explosive second period which put the nearby bonfire night celebrations to shame.

The pair were both cautioned for their part in scuffles with their opposite numbers as the home side became frustrated with their obvious lack of penetration.

Burgess finally showed Droylsden how to finish on 63 minutes when he slammed home a Pountney through-ball from close range, but was adjudged offside.

And although Nore Gabbidon tipped over Morley's goal-bound screamer minutes from time, Rovers can consider themselves unlucky not to have snatched victory.

Rovers: Gabbidon, J Beard (sub J Rogers 73mins), Ulfig, S Frost, Townsend, Turpin, Burrow, Benbow, Burgess, Pountney, Biddle.

Rovers man of the match: Craig Pountney. Attendance: 199.