BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Jimmy Mullen has vowed to find the solution to his side's lack of firepower.

Rovers have made a strong start to the Southern League Division One West, after beating Beaconsfield SYCOB and drawing with Sutton Coldfield Town.

However, the club is still desperate to find a forward with an eye for a goal.

Striker Dean Curtis looked short of match fitness against Beaconsfield, while Chris Smith and Matthew Barnes-Homer are preferred as midfielders.

The Rovers boss admitted that he and assistant Bernard Mackie were scouring the leagues for a potent striker.

Mullen said: "I know we are missing someone to get the goals for us.

"Bernard and I have been working hard to bring someone in."

The manager's inability to find a replacement for last season's top scorer, Paul Szewcyk, has meant a stay of execution for hitman Leon Mitchell.

Mitchell has been told by Mullen that he has fallen down the pecking order at Rovers, despite a need for goals, and can move on if he wanted to.

Mitchell, who was brought in by previous manager Joe Jackson from Rushall Olympic last season, has vowed to fight for a first team place.

Mullen said: "Leon's down the pecking order a bit and I've told him that we won't stop of him if he gets a better offer.

"He's a lovely lad and wants to fight for his place."

Mitchell, who scored seven league goals last season, came on as a second half substitute during Monday night's 1-1 stalemate with Sutton.

Mullen was furious with referee Mr Mark Warren after he sent off Ross Collins for two bookable offences.

The manager felt the first booking for a foul on goalkeeper Dale Belford during Monday's game was harsh.

He said: "The ref was trying too hard. There was no way it was a foul by Ross. I didn't think he did anything wrong.

"Before that we were excellent and should have scored another goal.

"But we worked really hard and they didn't really trouble us in the second half.

The manager also praised midfielder Wayne Dyer.

The Montserrat international was inspirational in the second half against Sutton.

He said: "Wayne was fantastic, he worked hard and controlled the game."

Winger Jon Daniels has left Rovers and signed for Sutton Coldfield. Bromsgrove have also signed 18-year-old striker Jason Ramsey.

Striker Lee Greenway is available for Rovers' trip to Brackley Town on Saturday, August 20.

Greenway missed the season's first two matches because of a booking he picked up at former club Bedworth United.

Defender Matt Gardiner could miss the match because of an ankle injury.

Mullen believes Brackley will be one of the Division One West's dark horses for the title.

The Northamptonshire side has signed Slough hit man Matt Murphy, who scored 25 goals in 32 league games.

He said: "Brackley will be up there of than I have no doubt.

"But everyone wants to beat us. Rovers are a big club and every team wants to take our scalp."

By Peter McKinney