Bromsgrove Rovers 1 Brackley Town 1

Southern League Division One West

By Peter McKinney

STRIKER Paul Moore grabbed an equaliser to make sure Rovers held a physical Brackley side to a draw in an eventful game at the Victoria Ground on Saturday.HACKED DOWN: Striker James Smith, who was taken to hospital, is brought down by Brackley captain Andy Williams.

The striker made it two goals in as many games in the second half to make it 1-1, after Matt Murphy had edged the visitors ahead from the penalty spot.

A dull game exploded into life in the final 20 twenty minutes and had enough incidents to make up for the boring fare served up before.

A game with few scoring opportunities was delayed 16 minutes in the second half, after striker James Smith was injured while battling for the ball. The 19-year-old was taken to the Alexandra Hospital after being knocked unconscious.

Defender Chris McHale, signed after Kidderminster released him on Thursday, made his debut, while Gavin Hurren was moved into midfield by manager Rod Brown in order to combat Brackley's power.

Former Rovers striker Arthur Appleton returned to the Victoria Ground with the Northamptonshire side.

A scrappy first half's tone was set when defender Mike Ford was booked by referee Mr Gratton for a foul which sent James Smith sprawling to the ground.

After a cagey first ten minutes the game descended into a midfield battle, with neither side carving out a chance. The closest the hosts came was from a corner in the 16th minute. Exodus Geohaghan headed Matthew Johnson's delivery wide and Joe Williams drove the ball across the box, but Andy Williams cleared the danger.

The Brackley defender also nipped the ball off Smith, who was singled out for some rough treatment by the visitors, after Moore had put him through.

With a strong wind making it difficult to control the ball, both sides gave the ball away.

Moore got down the left wing and fed Wayne Dyer. The midfielder advanced into the box and tried to slip the ball to Smith, who did not react fast enough, and goalkeeper Richard Knight collected.

Moore should have opened the scoring in the first minute of the second half. Johnson's pass dissected Brackley down the middle and put Moore through on a one-on-one. However, the striker did not attack the ball and Knight came out to collect.

The game was delayed 16 minutes when Smith was hit in the throat while tussling for the ball. After being examined by Rovers' staff he was taken to hospital.

Anthony Maguire replaced the hit man and he almost made it 1-0 in the 60th minute. A slide rule pass by Moore set the winger free down the left and his cross/shot was tipped over by Knight. Brackley's 'keeper then produced a double save to keep Rovers at bay in the 68th minute. He tipped over substitute Kevin Banner's goal-bound corner and then palmed away Maguire's acrobatic follow-up.

Rovers were pushing Brackley back, but the away team stole a lead in the 71st minute. Mark Benbow's poor pass went straight to Appleton and he drove down the left towards the box. He sent in a cross that hit McHale on the arm and Mr Gratton called for a penalty. Murphy then rifled the ball into the top of the goal.

The goal though only spurred Rovers into life and they were back on level terms two minutes later. Benbow got a head to Banner's long corner and Moore turned the ball past Knight.

Rovers were reduced to ten men when Maguire was handed a straight red card for pushing Andy Williams. Despite the set back the home side matched a powerful opposition to make sure they came away with a point.

ROVERS: Clarke 7, Johnson 6, McHale 6, Geohaghan 6, HURREN 7, Benbow 5, Dyer 5, Smith 6 (Maguire 6), Moore 7, Hillman 7 (Banner 7). Sub not used Evans (GK) Barnes-Homer, John Snape

BRACKLEY: Knight, Farley, Murphy (Stephenson, 48mins), Brown, Williams, Spacey, Hadland, Appleton, Murphy Ferreira (Peter Spacey, half time). Subs not used Evans, Howard.

Referee: Mr D Gratton (Olton). Attendance: 327.