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DREAM START: Alex Cowley got his Rovers career off to a dream start with a debut strike.

Rovers 1
Clevedon 0

IT'S that point of the season Sir Alex Ferguson calls "squeaky bum time".

Maybe someone should try telling Bromsgrove Rovers.

With their place in the British Gas Business Premier Division next season still not a formality, the club is at a vital crossroads.

And while the evidence from Duane Darby's spell as caretaker manager suggests they have more than enough to pull through to safety, a small degree of nervousness at the Victoria Ground would be forgiven.

They went into Saturday's clash knowing five wins from 11 matches should carry them over the survival threshold, but with several of the division's big hitters still to come, that may yet prove to be a difficult feat.

But fearless Rovers went into Saturday's battle showing no signs of floundering under the pressure.

Once again they were comfortable playing the underdog.

Visitors Clevedon rode into town on the back of an 11-game unbeaten run, having scored 14 goals in their last five - a stark contrast to their opponents' recent shot-shy form.

LIVELY DEBUT: Anthony Robinson shows impressive strength as he runs at the Clevedon defence.

But Darby's men were stubborn enough to limit the Seasiders to half-chances, with the only real scare coming when Chris Duggan hooked Kris Leek's ambitious 40-yard lob clear after the lively winger had caught keeper Chris Taylor off his line.

At the other end the additions of striker Anthony Robinson and midfielder Alex Cowley helped create the necessary spark to end a three-game scoring drought.

Robinson was a strong presence, controlling the ball with finesse, while holding off defenders with ease.

And after a series of first half attacks which lacked crucial cutting edge, it was a spirited burst from Cowley that separated the two sides.

The 49th minute strike came as Rovers began to attack with genuine width - a method which has proved effective and easy on the eye since Darby's arrival.

Clever link play from Matt Birley on the left touchline set Sam Alsop free.

Alsop dragged back across the area and Cowley showed great composure and determination to divert the low cross past Danny Greaves from 12 yards.

The goal came after a first-half in which Rovers were able to create little, but maintained their concentration amid Clevedon's long periods of possession.

However, they were given renewed impetus and went on to have the best chances of the second-half.

Matt Birley forced Griffiths into an awkward save, when his bobbling shot threatened to creep inside the near post after he had waltzed past two defenders.

Substitute Chris Cornes almost produced a goal of the season contender when his fizzing volley crashed off the crossbar.

Clevedon threw men forward late on and Scott Hendy squandered a golden chance, heading Leek's cross over from inside the six-yard box, while Mike Symons could have snatched a draw at the death but Taylor dived at his feet to smother the ball.

But Rovers saw off the threats and took further step towards safety.

ROVERS: Taylor 6, DUGGAN 8, Cotterill 7, Alsop 7, Knight 6, Burgess 7, Cowley 7 (Downing 6, 86 mins), Bridgwater 6, Robinson 7, Jakab 6 (Cornes 6, 73 mins), Birley 7. Unused subs: Mole, Benbow, Vizor.

CLEVEDON: Greaves, Davies, Haines, Scott, Hendy, Trought (Brigham, 68 mins), Leek, Prosser (Bater, 83 mins), Page, Bassett (Symons, 70 mins), Sylvester.

Referee: Mr D.Gratton (Stone). Attendance: 394.

Click here for more action shots from Saturday's game

9:26am Wednesday 27th February 2008

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