Swindon Supermarine 0 Bromsgrove Rovers 1

Southern League Division One West

PROMOTION slipped further into the distance for Bromsgrove Rovers after they were shot down by a stunning strike at Swindon Supermarine on Saturday.

Rovers' supporters left Hunts Copse in Wiltshire with the same feelings they had experienced all season in the Southern League - that their side had deserved more out of a one-sided game.

Jimmy Mullen's team dominated the match for long periods and created numerous chances, particularly in the final frenetic 15 minutes.

However, the side's lack of cutting edge this season has become a key problem, as once again Rovers did not turn possession into goals. Jeremy Newton's excellent goal also made sure Rovers left without a point that their industry deserved.

Defeat leaves Rovers treading water in mid-table, with the automatic promotion spaces moving farther away with every dropped point.

The first half was evenly matched, with Banner heading at Swindon 'keeper Tom King from Exodus Geohaghan's long throw-in on the ten minutes mark.

Two minutes later Rovers had a scare when they were hit on the break. Newton's raking low centre was fumbled by 'keeper Lee Evans, who recovered to take the ball with Ryo Matsunaga sliding in.

Anthony Maguire blazed over in the 16th minute. After a period where both sides cancelled each other out Rovers carved out the best chance in the 34th minute. Mark Danks' astute pass sent Kevin Banner into the box and he sent a tantalising low cross, all of Rovers' strikers missed.

Rovers started the second half brightly and captain Steve Hillman galloped down the left wing and sent in a cross, which Maguire just headed wide at the far post.

Evans caused a few Rovers fans heart attacks when he lost the ball outside the box after persistence from Matsunaga, but the 'keeper managed to win it back.

The visitors continued to boss the game and Banner should have done better when he shot wide in the 60th minute.

Top scorer Scott Hadland was then stopped by David Pratt's well-timed sliding tackle after Barnes-Homer's penetrating run into the penalty area.

Swindon went against the run of play to score in the 64th minute.

Ian Howell got free up Swindon's right wing and sent in a cross, which Newton volleyed across Evans at the far post into the top left corner.

The goal shook Rovers, but Mullen brought on Mark Benbow, shifted Matthew Barnes-Homer to the right wing and put Paul Szewczyk up front to freshen up the side.

The change almost paid off immediately, when Szewczyk had a header from Banner's corner cleared off the line by Chris Copp a minute later.

Banner had a header saved by the keeper in the 79th minute. A diving King stopped Johnson's audacious back-heel from Barnes-Homers' cross.

From a Banner corner in the dying minutes it took brave defending by Matsunaga to deny Barnes-Homer.

Szewczyk, whose threat in the air had made a real difference to Bromsgrove since coming on, was denied an equaliser by a brilliant diving save by King.

Banner had got free down the left and sent in a pinpoint cross. Szewczyk Rose imperiously and guided the ball with pace towards the bottom right had corner, only for Swindon's goalkeeper to dive and scoop the ball away desperately.

ROVERS: Evans 6, Johnson 7, Hillman 7, Male 7, Geohaghan 8, Hadland 6 (Benbow, 70mins, 6), Maguire 6, Dyer 7, Danks 6 (Szewczyk, 70mins 7), Barnes-Homer 7, Banner 7.

Swindon: KING 8, Copp 7, Ian Howell 6, Pratt 7 (Hulbert, 83mins 6), Matsunaga 7, Bennett 6, Allen 6, Wimble 6, Pratley 6, Davies 6, Newton 7 (Brad Newman, 75mins, 6).

Referee: Mark Thompson (London).

Attendance: 173.

By Peter McKinney