DMW September 25, 1999

IMPROVING Bromsgrove picked up a precious point at Moat Street on Saturday but it could easily have been three.

Chances came thick and fast at both ends during a lively first half and the Greens carved out the finest five minutes before the break.

Mark Bowater's glorious pass from deep inside his own half picked out striker Andy Wright, back in the side after injury, who got behind a sleepy defence only to be left beating the ground in frustration after Gresley keeper Stuart Ford parried his low shot.

Ford was also tested by the impressive Steve Ulfig and the forward thinking Bowater as Rovers sought out their second away win this term. Ian Cooper went close too with a 20 yarder that whizzed narrowly over the bar.

Gresley, managed by former Greens boss Brian Kenning and lying fourth before the weekend action, also fancied their chances.

Former Bromsgrove winger Mark Peters made his presence felt with some speedy forays down the right flank and a 30 yarder which flew wide of a grateful Derek Dudley's left hand post.

Half time arrived, eventually after several lengthy injury stoppages, with both teams optimistic of scoring in the second period.

The home side started brightly -- Graeme Fowkes' low drive flashed wide, Ian Pitt's low shot was saved comfortably by Dudley and Kevin Ashley headed Warren's header off the line -- but became increasingly frustrated as the breakthrough failed to materialise.

Three substitutions appeared to upset their rhythm and patient Bromsgrove finished on top. Wright fired over from an acute angle after good work by Ryan Daley on the left and Richard Ball's effort from the edge of the box was blocked by a now panicky defence.

"That was our second clean sheet away from home and it gives us a platform to build on,'' said manager Steve Daley.

"I'm not saying we're in a false position because our results have put us where we are. But I really believe that on our day we're as good as anyone else in the Western Division -- we've just got to start showing some consistency.

"We took the lead against both Moor Green and Cirencester, who are currently lying first and second in the table, and should have won at Gresley on Saturday. Apart from Bedworth, we've only lost by the odd goal,'' he added.

Rovers: Dudley, Ashley, Ulfig, Davies, Bowater, Dodd, Bytheway (sub Benbow 72), Wright (sub Courts 88), Ball, Daley, Cooper. Sub (unused): Cummings.

Attendance: 373. Rovers man of the match: Steve Ulfig. Bookings: none.