A SEVERE electric storm abruptly ended last night's friendly between Bromsgrove Rovers and Northampton Town at the Victoria Ground.

The Cobblers were leading 1-0 when referee Kevin Nind brought proceedings to a halt after 75 minutes.

What proved to be the winner came on 26 minutes.

Striker Darren Byfield, on loan from Aston Villa, sprinted past Bromsgrove's new centre half Tony Brien before playing the ball out to Carlo Corazzin on the left wing.

Corrazzin then provided a low cross for Byfield to finish off the move he started, sliding the ball past Nore Gabbidon from close range.

Northampton always looked comfortable on the ball but Rovers, to their credit, refused to be overwhelmed and rattled their visitors with some flowing moves and firm tackles.

Brien sent a free kick over the bar before the break while midfielder Mark Benbow tested visiting 'keeper Paul Binder with a header and then a long range shot.

Rovers: Gabbidon, Bytheway, Homer, Davies, Brien, Daley, Cooper, Wright, Brown, Pendleton, Benbow. Subs: Dodd, Ulfig, Winstone.

Attendance: 200.