BROMSGROVE Rovers lost further ground in the Dr Martens Western Division title race as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Clevedon Town, writes STEPHEN CARLEY.

Gary Hackett and Jon Ford's side, with only four wins this year, earned a share of the spoils as both teams scored in a four-minute spell towards the end of the first half.

Richard Burgess wasted a chance to put Rovers ahead on 12 minutes when he dragged his shot wide with only Dave Mogg to beat.

Clevedon were nearly gifted a goal on 36 minutes after Steve Pope missed his kick in the penalty area, but Mike Wyatt was off target with his bicycle kick.

Sixty seconds later the hosts were ahead though when Steve Lester's pass rolled through the Rovers defence for Arthur Appleton to slide the ball past Matt Lowe into the bottom corner.

Rovers' was response was almost immediate. Grant Beckett crossed from the left, causing a mad scramble in the six yard box before the ball eventually fell to Steve Frost who smashed it home.

The visitors lost Lowe to injury within seven minutes of the re-start. Lowe parried substitute Steve Weaver's shot but fell awkwardly after colliding with Lester for the rebound.

Replacement Gary Hateley pulled off the save of the match as he denied Wyatt with his legs on 67 minutes.

Both sides made substitutions to try and break the deadlock. Wyatt blazed a shot over late on while Beckett had a point blank effort cleared for a corner.

Rovers: Lowe 7 (Hateley 53, 7), Benbow 6, Ford 6, Clifton 6, Lutz 6 (Cartwright 80), H POPE 8, Dyson 7, Beckett 7, Burgess 6, Palmer 6 (Blake 73), Frost 6. Subs not used: Collins, Hyde.

Attendance: 251.