BROMSGROVE Sporting boss Keith Draper hailed his players’ character as he watched his side overcame Shirley Town’s rough house tactics in a bad-tempered affair on Saturday.

The Victoria Ground outfit kept their cool in a Smedley Crooke Cup home clash which saw their opponents pick up eight yellow cards and Sean Farrell sent off.

To make matters worse, Chris Bright looks set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after he broke his collar bone after a foul by Farrell.

Despite the tackles flying in, Sporting’s players did not let their anger get the better of them and a brace by manager’s son Keith Draper proved to be the difference.

“I am really proud of my players,” the manager said. “Shirley did their best to ruffle us but we didn’t even get a booking.

“It was a keenly fought end-to-end game and Shirley just lost their heads but we showed a lot of character and Keith scored two good goals.

“I am disappointed for Chris (Bright) as he’s done really well this season and it’s a blow.

“He worked very hard to get into the side and now it’s up to somebody else to step up.”

Bright may need surgery and a pin and plate to help him heal, with the injury set to be assessed by doctors in a fortnight’s time.

Despite the setback, Sporting’s victory stretched their winning streak to four games, much to the delight of Draper.

He added: “We’re on a great run of form and that’s down to our ability and spirit.

“All the players we have signed have earned a place in the team on merit, the togetherness is excellent and there’s plenty of banter.

“We know if somebody makes a mistake someone else will be there to eradicate the problem.”

Draper said he’s only looking to add one more player to his squad after a spell of extensive restructuring over the last six weeks.

Meanwhile, striker Odane Barnes has left the club last week to join Midland Combination Premier Division side Bartley Green.

Sporting have a weekend off from action as the Victoria Ground hosts the Midland Combination representatives team’s clash against a Lincoln League side on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Bromsgrove have Zac Blood, Joe Brookes, Chris Conway, Jamie Rogers and Dan Wilkes in the 27- man provisional squad.

Sporting will play the winners of Fairfield Villa-Glades in the last eight of the Smedley Crooke Cup.