BOTTOM of the table Bromsgrove threw themselves a relegation lifeline after pulling off a pulsating 24-22 win over Weston-Super-Mare side Hornets in National League 3 South West.

The match was well into overtime when full back Josh Holt hurled himself over for his second try of the try to level the score.

But it was left to ice-cool inside centre Jon Critchlow to hold his nerve and kick the match winning conversion to give Bromsgrove their second success of the season.

Bromsgrove head coach Dan Protherough said: "The win meant everything because it has given us belief! The late try meant we weren't going to lose the game, but the conversion was massive.

"When we played Hornets away earlier in the season we scored six tries and still lost - so we knew this was a game we could win."

The omens didn't look good for Bromsgrove at one stage.

They managed to drop the ball after going over the Hornets' try-line from a driving maul and then found themselves trailing 12-0 with half time approaching, conceding a second try after 35 minutes.

But from the re-start, second row Lewis Arnold put Hornets under pressure which finally resulted with Holt scoring in the corner to make the score 12-5 by half time.

The accurate Critchlow then kicked three second half penalties as Bromsgrove clawed the score back to 15-14.

A third Hornets try with five minutes remaining threatened to leave Bromsgrove empty handed but a fourth Critchlow penalty set up a grandstand finish.

A delighted Protherough added: "There are no easy games at this level, but the win over Hornets has given us a chance of avoiding relegation.

"We travel to fourth placed Ivybridge in Devon this Saturday, which will be tough and then have games against Launceston and Salisbury. If we can win them, we'll be right back in the mix and there is now a belief we can do that."

Protherough also praised the support given from the Finstall Park faithful.

He said: "Because of the long distances we've been forced to travel this season, we haven't been able to take much support to away games.

"That is why it's so important to do well in our home games.

"The supporters really got behind the players on Saturday and there is a real willingness for us to do well. They appreciate the difficult position we've been put in this season and I know it means a great deal to the players."