MANAGER Jimmy Mullen has called for out-of-sorts Bromsgrove Rovers to stun champions Mangotsfield United on Saturday and keep alive their slim automatic promotion hopes.

The Southern League Division One West champions come to the Victoria Ground in good form.

But Mullen believes his side can shake off their poor form, which has damaged their top two aspirations, and rain on the champions' parade.

He said: "It'll be a big crowd and it'll be a good game.

"They deserve to be champions because they've won more games than anybody else.

"But we haven't given up on finishing second and if we have a slim chance we'll keep on fighting."

After Saturday's defeat to Burnham Bromsgrove must beat Mangotsfield at home and bottom side Egham the following week.

Mullen's side also need second placed Yate to drop points against Thame and Rothwell, and for Evesham United to slip-up against Brackley and Cinderford.

Rovers go into Saturday's game against the champions in poor form.

Since beating Brackley 3-1 three weeks ago Rovers have been unable to find the consistency which made them automatic promotion contenders.

Draws with lowly Sutton Coldfield and Swindon Supermarine and the loss to Burnham mean Rovers are staring the play-offs in the face, unless results go their way.

Mullen though has pinpointed his side's problem - a lack of goals.

He said: "We can't score enough goals.

"We absolutely pegged Burnham back in the first half an hour but we couldn't score.

"We could have been 3-0 up early on. Mark Benbow and Paul Szewczyk should have put us ahead.

"It's just a matter of luck at the moment and we're not getting any."

The manager is also contemplating bringing in experienced second choice goalkeeper Ian Gandy to replace Adam Jenkins.

Jenkins stood in for Matt Lowe, who started his two-match suspension for his sending off at Bedworth on Saturday, but produced a jittery display.

Mullen said: "I think if Adam is honest he'll feel he was to blame for two of Burnham's goals.

"I don't think it was just his fault though.

"Our centre-backs stood like statues for the first goal and gave Burnham's striker all the time in the world to score.

"But he was definitely at fault for the second."

Gandy has played five teams so far this season in the league, but has only been on the winning side once - against Burnham in February.

After Saturday's uncharacteristically poor performance in defence Mullen is also considering bringing Ross Collins back into the side.

The inspirational defender missed the game because of his broken nose.

Mullen said: "Ross wants to play before the season ends.

"He's a big loss because when he plays for us he's absolutely brilliant.

"We'll certainly need every player to be at their best against Mangotsfield."

By Peter McKinney