OUTSTANDING. That's the only way to describe Broms-grove Rovers' 1-0 triumph over Droylsden in last night's FA Umbro Trophy first round replay at the Victoria Ground.

From goalkeeper Nore Gabbi-don to striker Richard Burgess, each Rovers man was desperate to beat their Unibond Premier League Premier Division opponents - and how it showed.

Their night was almost spoiled by some shocking decisions from referee Chris Sarginson, who booked two Droylsden players in a heated second-half but shied away from showing Stuart Corns a red card when the striker twice threw punches in Craig Pountney's direction.

But Rovers won the overall battle with an awesome blend of crunching tackles, neat football and sheer determin-ation. Andy Biddle epitomised all that was good about them as he stepped out from the shad-ows of his team-mates to put in a match-winning performance.

There were ten other heroes, although the goal came via Droylsden's John Stannard in the 40th minute. He scuffed an attempted clearance from the edge of his own area and watched in horror as the ball looped high over 'keeper Paul Phillips into the net.

If Saturday's first match was a game of two halves, this one followed a similar pattern.

Rovers dominated long spells of the first half and enjoyed the best chances in the second. Twice Burgess should have finished Droylsden off but his finishing let him down.

Rovers's best display of the season set up a second round trip to Racing Club Warwick or Lancaster City on December 2.

Rovers: Gabbidon 9, J Beard 9, Ulfig 9, S Frost 9, Townsend 9, Turpin 9, Benbow 9, Burgess 9, Pountney 9, Burrow 9, Biddle 10. Subs not used: N Cooksey, Wright, J Rogers, G Rogers, Bates.

Star man: Andy Biddle.

Attendance: 185.