RICHARD Lavery's 75th minute header handed Hinckley United a 1-0 win over troubled Bromsgrove Rovers last night, in turn sentencing the home side to their ninth consecutive defeat in Dr Martens League Western Division.

Lavery pounced from close range amongst a sea of heads as Rovers failed to clear the danger from a corner.

The fact that the goal was allowed to stand at all was debatable - goalkeeper Neil Olden appeared to be held back as he went to claim a routine catch.

But, just as Rovers were thumped by the sucker punch against high-flying Mangotsfield on Saturday, they were flattened by more of the same against third placed Hinckley. Again Bromsgrove created some glorious chances but they lacked the vital cutting edge when it was needed most.

Bromsgrove received an early warning of what was to follow when two corners caused panic in their defence, one of which was headed off the line by Steve Frost.

Richard Burgess and Shaun Bedward were both guilty of missing good opportunities as Hinckley's back line was exposed by Michael Crawford's industry.

Hinckley should have taken the lead after half an hour but Jamie Lenton dragged his shot wide of the far post following Dave Sadler's centre.

Then Phil Rowe almost took Rovers into the break a goal to the good with two 25-yard efforts as the interval approached.

No doubt Bromsgrove's half time team talk spurred them on to greater things as they took the game to Hinckley after the break.

A sweet link-up down the left between Burgess and Marcus McDonald saw Burgess lash a vicious shot which Hinckley goalkeeper Wayne Starkey could only parry, but no Bromsgrove man followed up the rebound.

The Greens poured forward in search of that elusive winner as gaps opened in both side's rearguard. Crawford, Bedward and McDonald were all unlucky not to score, while at the other end Lavery ballooned the ball over from close range and Olden saved acrobatically from Andy Lucas's close-range effort.

But 15 minutes from time Lavery made sure of the points, deflating Rovers spirit in the process. They can only hope Santa Claus will bring them an ace marksman and a sprinkling of good fortune in time for the Boxing Day league derby at home to Redditch United.

Rovers: Olden 8, Rowe 6 (sub M Beard 85 mins), Ulfig 7, Townsend 7, S Frost 7, McDonald 6 (sub Pountney 75 mins), Benbow 7, Burgess 8, Bedward 6, Crawford 8, Biddle 8.

Attendance: 179.

Star man: Michael Crawford.