FORGET the result. This was an encouraging showing from a Bromsgrove side still coming to terms with the sudden departure of manager George Rooney.

In the current relegation climate Bromsgrove find themselves, a 2-0 defeat to a Moor Green side flying high in fourth place in Dr Martens Premier Division is no humiliation.

They scrapped and fought for every ball right up until the final whistle and even had the energy for a post-match warm down with fitness coach Paul Madders.

Rovers started the match confidently, taking the game to the home side on a superb Moorlands playing surface which defied the torrential rain that was to follow.

Nimble striker Richard Burgess had the first chance to send shock waves through the Moor ranks after 11 minutes, but his shot was palmed away by goalkeeper Andy De Bont for a corner.

Mark Benbow watched his free kick swerve past a sea of players and wide of the right post four minutes later.

Burgess could then have opened the scoring himself with another shot which cannoned away for a corner kick.

But just when it seemed like Rovers could take a surprise lead, Nore Gabbidon was picking the ball out of his net on 17 minutes.

Jamie Petty's defence splitting pass sent Moor's recent signing Jae Martin through and he beat Joe Beard for pace and drilled a firm shot past the advancing Gabbidon.

The goal handed Moor Green the ascendancy, with Petty and Craig Woodley exposing further gaps in Rovers' back line. They could have made it two on the half-hour when Richard Robinson's cross-cum-shot shaved the crossbar.

It was Robinson's through ball which helped Moor Green double their lead just three minutes after the break.

The youngster found Adrian Baddams who jinked past three Rovers defenders inside the area and beat Gabbidon with style.

It was a terrible way for Bromsgrove to start the second half and the crowd anticipated the floodgates would open.

But Rovers didn't drop. Even when the heavens opened for the remainder of the match, they kept plugging away.

Marc Burrow and Andy Biddle both spurned chances in the few forays Bromsgrove had in a second half dominated by the weather.

At the other end Gabbidon had to be alert to keep out Petty ten minutes from time, while substitute John Humphrey was in the right place at the right time to clear the danger from Martin's shot.

And although Moor Green looked the more competent on the balance of play, Rovers were never overawed by their in-form opponents.

Rovers: Gabbidon, J Beard (sub Humphrey 65 mins,), Ulfig, Townsend, S Frost, Cameron (sub Turpin 48 mins), Benbow, Burgess, Pountney (sub J Rogers 72 mins), Burrow, Biddle.

Attendance: 123.

Rovers man of the match: Marc Burrow.

Report by CHRIS VAUGHAN