DMW December 4, 1999

ROVERS stumbled to yet another home defeat on Saturday, humbled by one of the few teams below them in the league.

The fact that they never forced Shepshed goalkeeper Steve Chopin into a save demonstrates boss Steve Daley's major problem.

Bromsgrove's defence is currently the best third of the team, but with an ineffective forward line and an uncompetitive midfield, they finally succumbed to two second half strikes.

The first period saw two poor teams contest an ever poorer game. Daley tried centre half Alex Winstone as an emergency striker, but neither he nor regular forward Richard Ball got a shot on target all afternoon.

Chances were at a premium, Michael Stevenson for the visitors cutting inside Kevin Ashley to shoot over the crossbar on 17 minutes, and Kevin Holleran firing over the crossbar from 20 yards after a half-hearted clearance. Rovers' meagre response in the first half was a shot from lively newcomer Graham Brown that was blocked by Michael Cox.

Part two was no better as driving rain swept across the Victoria Ground. Stevenson failed to capitalise on a rare Mark Bowater mistake on 55 minutes, shooting over from 15 yards, but the two players were involved in the incident that led to the first goal five minutes later.

The Greens skipper clumsily challenged Stevenson in the penalty area, referee Adcock having no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. The Shepshed player converted the spot kick himself, firing high to Nore Gabbidon's right.

Andy Lucas saw a low shot saved by Gabbidon and Ibraham Bah's far post header drifted wide before the visitors made the game safe in injury time. Lucas, a former Rovers target, sprung the offside trap before hitting a low shot under the advancing keeper.

A very poor effort by a Bromsgrove side who now approach the Christmas season fighting a relegation battle for the fourth season running.

Rovers: Gabbidon, Ashley, Ulfig, Davies, Bowater, Townsend, Humphreys, Wilkins (sub Rochester), Winstone, Ball (sub Hunter), Brown. Subs (unused): Parkes.

BIAttendance: 341. Rovers man of the match: Nore Gabbidon.