Leighton Town 1 Bromsgrove Rovers 1

Southern League Division One West

By Steve Riddick

STRIKER Delton Francis bagged his first ever goal for Rovers but was denied the glory of three points by a late equaliser by Leighton Town at Bell Close on Saturday.

Francis finished an injury plagued season on a high for Bromsgrove by scoring his first ever goal for the club, before James McNulty bagged a last minute equaliser for Leighton.

The goal was just reward for Francis, who has battled back from an injury hit two seasons at the Greens and has made just 25 appearances in that time.

The draw denied Bromsgrove eighth place in the Southern League Division One West and left them ten points behind Marlow, who took the final play-off spot.

Rovers dominated a typical end of season match at Bell Close on a hard, bobbly pitch which did not suit either team.

Mark Benbow fired weakly at Leighton goalkeeper Lee Clark after four minutes. Matt Johnson then saw his looping header claimed from under the bar by the 'keeper from Joe Williams' 17th minute free kick.

Paul Reed had Leighton's first attempt on goal, but his 21st minute effort was straight at Tim Clarke.

Francis had two efforts on goal, his first shot cleared the bar after making space to shoot after 38 minutes, and on the stroke of half time he turned his marker on the edge of the area but rolled his effort wide of the upright.

Rovers carved out a fine move down the left in the 53rd minute when Luke Reynolds controlled the ball down by the touchline and gave the ball inside to Riad Erraji. The midfielder slipped it down the wing to Banner and his accurate cross was parried away by Clark but James Smith miscued the rebound into the side netting.

Rovers were now dominating the game and in the 56th minute opened the scoring. Banner skipped past his marker and delivered a deep cross to the far post.

Mark Longman's clearance off the line hit Francis and the striker scrambled the ball over the line.

Rovers enjoyed a let-off in the 58th minute, when James McNulty saw his goalbound effort saved by Clarke's shins from Reed's free kick.

Reynolds was denied a shot by a timely Pete Clifford tackle in the 65th minute after good work by Banner and Francis.

In the 75th minute Neal Davis just missed Banner's left wing cross, and Smith's follow-up shot was deflected wide of the post.

Into the last minute Leighton equalised in controversial circumstances. Tim Clarke came out to collect Andy Fagan's cross but was barged into by McNulty, who bundled the ball into the back of the net. Referee Mr Links allowed the goal to stand to rob Rovers of the win their play deserved.

LEIGHTON: Clark, Fagan, Longman (Kidd 77mins), Chapman, Clifford, Lewis (Young 68), Rocco (Fields 79 ), Silvestra, McNulty, Chennells, Reed. Subs not used: J. Copson.

ROVERS: Clarke, Smith, Williams, Male, McHale, Erraji, Benbow (Dyer 61mins ), Johnson, Reynolds (Davis 68), Francis (Geohaghan 74), Banner. Subs not used: Snape, Evans. Referee: M. Links.

Rovers man of the match: Matt Johnson.