GOALS from Richard Burgess and substitute Les Palmer got 2003 off to a 2-0 winning start for Bromsgrove Rovers against Sutton Coldfield Town at the Victoria Ground.

Both goals came in the second half, which saw Rovers enjoy large spells of possession, made easier by the 24th minute dismissal of Sutton's John Howard for his second bookable offence.

Rovers joint manager Jon Ford was pleased with the result, which gives his and Gary Hackett's side 12 points from 15 over the festive fortnight.

He said: "We weren't at the races in the first half but we ground them down and they were as good as I expected them to be.

"Our aim was through the Christmas period was to get 12 from 15 points so we are pleased with that."

The game was evenly contested early on with former Rovers winger Ritchie Gardner forcing Matt Lowe to tip his drive on to the bar on 12 minutes. The hosts had the ball in the net on 15 minutes but Steve Frost's far post tap in was ruled offside.

Howard was booked on 19 minutes and five minutes later was cautioned again and consequently sent off for pulling back Paul Danks on the edge of the area.

That allowed Rovers to get on top as they ended the first half and started the second camped in Sutton territory.

They took the lead on 56 minutes when Danks brilliantly turned his man in the penalty area before squaring the ball for Burgess to tap home.

An 18-man brawl ensued 60 seconds later following an off the ball incident, forcing referee Scott to book Frost and Sutton's Neil Watkins and Nathan Moran.

Substitute Palmer won it for Rovers with 12 minutes left. He ran on to a through ball, which took a deflection off Kevin Jones and fell back into his path for Palmer to run into the penalty area and slot under Justin Bray.

Rovers: Lowe 7, Benbow 6 (Cartwright 54, 6), Banner 6, Clifton 6, H McHUGH 8, Pope 7, Dyson 8, Beckett 6, Burgess 7 (Read 79), Danks 7 (Palmer 76), Frost 6. Subs not used: Brookes, Thomas.

Attendance: 473.