BROMSGROVE Sporting boss Paul Smith paid tribute the club's huge army of supporters this week as they helped sweep the side up to top spot in Midland League Division One following a 4-2 success over Nuneaton Griff.

A crowd of 567 supporters packed into the Victoria Ground to witness Sporting going top and Smith insisted: "The support was out of this world.

"The atmosphere throughout the game was the best since we had over 1,000 supporters when we played Coventry United. It's brilliant to get so many and I take my hat off to all of them.

"I think we sent them all home happy after what proved a fabulous game of football.

"We played a fantastic 80 minutes and the first half in particular was as good as we've played all season. We should have been 6-0 up by half time but then we switched off and let them back into the game, when in truth, we should have been out of sight. Suddenly it was 3-2 and you are wondering how it could have happened.

"But overall, it was a very good day at the office."

Jack Wilson had fired Sporting into a sixth minute lead which Robbie Bunn increased before the break.

When Tony Clarke's close range header made it 3-0 early in the second the game with Griff appeared to be over as a contest.

But two well taken goals from Griff substitute Keinan Palmer completely changed the complexion of the game and it took a late 20 yard effort from Chrisi Conway deep in injury time to settle the nerves and seal the points as Sporting stretched their unbeaten league run to eight games.

Smith said: "We're the only unbeaten team in the league now but that can bring added pressures.

"When teams come to Sporting they always try to raise their game against us, but now they'll be more determined than ever to try and knock us off top spot.

"We're playing well at the moment but it's important we try and keep everyone's feet on the ground."

Smith is hopeful of another large following when Sporting travel to Uttoxeter Town on Saturday before entertaining Littleton next Tuesday at the Victoria Ground when Keenen Meakin-Richards should be back available.