A PAUL Szewczyk double put Bromsgrove Rovers into the Dr Martens League Cup second round at the expense of Western Division rivals Halesowen Town last night.

The 6ft 2in hitman struck in each half to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 victory and set up a trip to Cinderford Town.

Halesowen, looking dangerous going forward early on, took the lead after 21 minutes following good work from Simon Hollis. The midfielder was allowed to run the best part of 60 yards before playing in Leon Mitchell who hit the ball across Paul Wyatt and into the bottom corner of the net.

Rovers though were level just four minutes later. Michael Swann's blocked shot fell nicely into Szewczyk's path and the former Stafford Rangers man calmly placed the ball past Mark Sheils.

Steve Pope had a golden opportunity to put his side ahead on 34 minutes. Swann was bundled over clumsily in the penalty area but Pope crashed the spot kick against the crossbar. Amazingly, the ball fell back into play but nobody could convert during a goalmouth scramble.

The hosts could have been made to pay for that miss right on half time but Mark Hallam's header was well saved by Wyatt, who was down quickly to his left.

Rovers were ahead seven minutes into the second half. Swann crossed the ball into the box and Szewczyk held off his man brilliantly before turning and drilling the ball past Sheils.

Two minutes later Halesowen could have been level but for Chris Dawson's clearance off the line from Hollis.

Swann had the best chance to seal it for Rovers when he hit an effort against the post with ten minutes left.

Both Hallam and Hollis hit shots wide for the visitors.

ROVERS

Wyatt 7, Frost 6, Hillman 7, Pope (sub Hill 55 mins 7) 7, Mahon 6, Dyson 7, Dawson 6, Scheppel 6, SZEWCZYK 8*, Banner 6, Swann (sub Langford 82 mins) 7. Subs not used: Ruck, Gandy, Atkinson.

Att - 288.