BROMSGROVE Rovers' slight hopes of automatic promotion from Southern League Division One West slipped further out of sight after teenage goalkeeper Anthony Breeden produced a man-of-the-match display to keep them at bay last night, writes Peter McKinney.

Breeden, aged 16, gave a performance beyond his years at Coles Lane and capped it off by denying Rovers' own 19-year-old prodigy, Matthew Barnes-Homer, with a stunning save at the death.

Despite forcing four corners in a row in the opening 10 minutes, Bromsgrove were unable to open up Sutton.

The first chance fell to Town's Luke Fuller, but he volleyed over the bar.

Kevin Banner's determination saw him dispossess Richard Gardner before setting Paul Szewczyk free in the box, only for Lucan Spittle's timely challenge to deny him.

Rovers came out for the second-half with more vigour but found Breeden an impenetrable wall.

The 'keeper got down smartly to save Leon Broadhurst's low long range shot and then dived at Szewczyk's feet as he tried to pounce on a rebound.

Arthur Appleton missed the best chance six minutes later. Banner's incisive pass set the Appleton free for a one-on-one with Breeden, but the young 'keeper was given time by the hesitant striker and made a good save with his feet.

Appleton was replaced by Matthew Barnes-Homer and he had a powerful shot cannon off the bar following Banner's 86th minute corner.

Rovers poured forward in search of the winner and Barnes-Homer's rising shot two minutes from time seemed destined to curl into Breeden's right hand corner, but the goalkeeper flung himself and palmed the ball away to frustrate Rovers.

Rovers: Lowe 6, Johnson 7, *Hillman 8, Collins 7, Male 7, Broadhurst 6 (Frost 78, 6), Benbow 6, Erraji 6, Szewczyk 7, Appleton 5 (Barnes-Homer 71, 7), Banner 7 (Mitchell 86, 5).

Attendance: 261.