ROD GETS ONE OVER ROVERS

Craig Herbert gave the captain's armband to Andy Commander who put in a Star Man performance on his first game in a year

Rugby Town manager Rod Brown claimed a win over his ex-employers as Valley came from behind to defeat Bromsgrove at Butlin Road.

After a sprightly first half, the second half was more reminiscent of the familiar low-tempo end-of-season affair, especially after Rovers were reduced to 10 men shortly after the break.

Valley did not make best use of their chances until the dying minutes when Scott Musgrove sidefooted home Kieran Fitzharris' pull back from 12 yards to seal the win.

Rod used the game to experiment with his team and with Delroy Gordon ruled out with a facial injury, Craig Herbert returned to the backline while Andy Commander took the captain's armband to make his first appearance of the season.

Meanwhile, top scorer David Stone was left on the bench and David Staff was given a role as a striker with Kieran Fitzharris and Dave Pearson also coming into the starting XI.

After a bright opening, it was ROvers who took the lead. Jakab capatilised on Commander's slip and rifled home past RIchard Anstiss to open the scoring.

Valley were level almost immediately as Herbert looped in a superb header from Stephan Morley's excellent deep free kick.

Rugby found gaps in the Bromsgrove defence and Pearson squeezed his way into the box before being clumsily tripped. However, for the second game in a row Valley were denied from the penalty spot as Pearson's low penalty was easily saved.

Pearson almost atoned for his penalty miss later in the first half when he latched onto Fitzharris' slide rule pass but the striker's effort came crashing back off the cross bar.

Bromsgrove were reduced to ten men shortly after half time after a tussle with Commander and the tempo of the game dropped significantly.

Neil King's driving run and shot from the centre of midfield deserved a goal, but his effort was excellently tipped onto the bar while substitute David Kolodynski shot straight at the keeper from a tight angle.

A candidate for miss of the season was to follow for Valley as three Rugby attackers found themselves on their own in the Rovers half with only the goalkeeper to beat. Rob Oddy took possession of the ball but inexplicably overshot his attempted lay-off to Fitzharris and the ball went out for a goal kick.

Rugby did claim the deserved win when Musgrove struck late on to relieve the crowd's frustration.

Valley Lineup: Anstiss 7, Oddy 6, Scott 8, Herbert 7, COMMANDER 8*, Morley 7 (Musgrove 7), Breward 6 (Jones 7), King 6, Pearson 7 (Kolodynski 6), Staff 6, Fitzharris 6.
Subs Not Used: Edge, Stone.
Bookings: Fitzharris.
Sent Off: None.

Report by RTFC Online.