FORWARD Leon Mitchell limped off injured as striker-less Bromsgrove Rovers' promotion aspirations in the Southern League Division One West were stalled.

Well-organised high-flying rivals Rothwell Town returned from the Victoria Ground with a 1-0 victory.

Mitchell's departure mid-way through the first-half forced manager Jimmy Mullen to throw makeshift hit-man Steve Frost up with winger Jon Daniels.

Rovers were already without Paul Szewczyk, who was with his newborn daughter, while a knee problem forced Delton Francis out.

Defender Martin Flannigan then did his best to derail in-form Rovers' hopes of closing the gap behind leaders Mangotsfield when he headed in from a 58th-minute corner.

The home side looked dangerous in the early stages with winger Matt Johnson and Daniels combining effectively down the right but Flannigan headed out Mark Benbow's dangerous cross.

Mitchell missed an open chance to score in the 22nd minute.

Benbow chested the ball into Daniels' path and his right cross fell perfectly for the striker who headed over.

However, the striker limped off after falling badly and was replaced by Frost.

Midfielder Riad Erraji flashed a shot wide of the left-hand post, while Daniels' 32nd-minute header was straight at Rothwell goalkeeper John Hughes.

Benbow then wasted Rovers' best chance of the game when he headed wide at the far post in the 43rd minute after Frost had won the ball off Stuart Spencer.

The sucker-punch came in the 58th minute when Flannigan lost marker Frost to score emphatically with a downward header from Reece Lester's corner.

Mullen threw on young striker Shaun Maynard as Rovers' pushed for a leveller.

But, while winning two late corners, Bromsgrove could not turn possession into chances as Rothwell held on for a deserved victory.

Rovers: Lowe 6, K Johnson 7, Hillman 6, Male 7, Collins 6, Erraji 6 (Mahon 70, 6), M Johnson 6, Benbow 7, Mitchell 5 (Frost 23, 6), *Daniels 8 (Maynard 85), Banner 6. Subs not used: Churchill, Gandy.

Attendance: 389.