Saturday, February 11, 2002

BROMSGROVE Rovers played out a drab 2-2 draw with Studley BKL in front of their largest league gate of the season.

Both sides failed to perform in a poor game, watched by 488 spectators, which leaves Rovers needing to win at Stourbridge tomorrow to keep their Midland Alliance title hopes alive.

After an even start, Rovers took a 12th minute lead thanks to a goalkeeping error. Grant Beckett's 30-yard free-kick looked easy for Studley stopper Duncan Turk but the ball slipped through his hands and into the net.

Bromsgrove doubled their advantage within 90 seconds when Morgan Brookes' long clearance evaded the static visiting defence for Les Palmer to react and prod the ball past Turk.

Any thoughts of further entertainment were lost as the game deteriorated into a midfield battle with no clear chances for either team.

But the visitors were level inside two minutes of the second period as Mark Beddows' speculative 25-yard shot caught Matt Lowe off his line and looped into the top corner.

From the restart, Rovers' were still arguing over the first goal when league top scorer and ex-Rovers player Craig Pountney stabbed the ball home from close range.

Substitute Sam Bowen almost pinched the points for Rovers when his brave overhead kick narrowly cleared the crossbar in injury time.

Rovers: Lowe, Lloyd, Banner, Brookes, Ford, Clifton, Coppin, Beckett, Palmer, Blake (Bowen 73), Taylor. Subs not used: Derry, Cartwright.