Chelmsley Town 1 (0) Bromsgrove Sporting 4 (2) at Pack Meadow

A sign of a good team that still picks up another valuable three points despite being slightly below par and a bizarre end to the match in added time writes Phil Baker.

A sunny but cool day in the Warwickshire countryside saw the home side kick off on their artificial 3G pitch and were immediately on the attack, Liam Norris hit a 20-yard drive but it went straight into the arms of away 'keeper Jon Brown.

Then just a minute later, Liam Spink put over a cross from the right to the near post that Luke Shorthouse glanced goalwards to the top left hand corner producing an outstanding one-hand save from James Kelly between the sticks for Chelmsley.

However, The Rouslers got their noses in front on the 14th minute, Reece Hewitt sent a well aimed pass to Shorthouse down the left. The lanky striker put a first-time cross into the box that Chris Lloyd collected, rounded two defenders before making a low shot into the right-hand corner of the net.

Gradually Sporting were getting used to bounce and feel of the pitch and Hewitt turned that to his advantage as he attempted to dance through the box only to be upended by Danny Charlton.

Referee Mr Groves pointed to the spot, giving chance for Lloyd to double his tally however Kelly guessed correctly diving to the right parrying the shot then collecting Lloyd's attempt at burying the re-bound from close to the post.

On 22 minutes, Hewitt's header was easily saved by Kelly then a few minutes later Shorthouse followed a long pass in to the box but had to be helped off the pitch after suffering an ankle injury in the process, to be substituted by Andy Nicol.

Chelmsley had a good chance on the 36th minute when striker Dan Elwell, evaded a Danny Morris tackle then rounded a couple of defenders before forcing Brown into a low save.

With half-time looming and Bromsgrove seeking to extend their lead, Nicol was brought down in the box by Kelly earning himself a yellow card for the trouble. This time Spink made no mistake with the spot kick sending the home 'keeper the wrong way.

After the interval Chelmsley came out much brighter moving the ball around quickly taking advantage of the flat surface and got a deserved goal on 57 minutes when a quick break up field left Aaron Roberts with two strikers to deal with. He dispossessed Garry Turner but the ball ran to Elwell who curled a delightful shot between Brown and the left-hand post.

Sporting had a couple of shots cleared of the line and Keenen Meakin-Richards was lucky not to put one into his own net on the 71st minute, when a Chelmsley shot re-bounded off him and had to be cleared off the line.

As the match moved into added time and it looked as if Sporting would have to settle for a one-goal advantage, Spink was involved in an altercation over a throw in.

Adam Keeley pushed the Bromsgrove player away, he pushed the player back and the incident sparked a melee which after a few moments saw Spink get a red card and his opponent a yellow.

What was then supposed to be a nervous five minutes for Sporting was just the opposite as a move upfield saw Cowley chip a cross into the box that substitute Tom Craine powerfully headed home giving his team their third goal. Then after robbing the home side from the re-start Craine took the ball down the right before passing to Sam Wills just inside the box whose angled drive went just past Kelly for the away side's fourth.

In the end, a comfortable win for the Bromsgrove outfit who thanks to other results going their way return to the top of the table.

Captain Craig Jones admitted after the match: "We did not play that well but what is important is that we have gained another three points".

Chelmsley: James Kelly, Liam Norris, Sam Sadler, Jason Gordon, Ross Casey (Capt), Nick Ellis (Chris Gumery 82 mins), Tom Ellis, Ryan Conlon (Adam Keeley 46 mins), Dan Elwell, Garry Turner, Danny Charlton (Lee Yonwin 82 mins).

Substitutes not used: Andrew Jones, Robert Ellis.

Goal: Dan Elwell (57 mins) Yellows: James Kelly (41 mins), Nick Ellis (50 mins), Jason Gordon (62 mins), Adam Keeley (90+1 mins).

Sporting: Jon Brown, Aaron Roberts, Danny Morris, Keenen Meakin-Richards (Tom Craine 72 mins), Craig Jones (Capt), Liam Spink, Sam Wills, Chris Lloyd (Luke Edwards 46 mins), Jason Cowley, Luke Shorthouse (Andy Nicol 27 mins), Reece Hewitt.

Substitutes not used: Jack Wilson, Will Tibbetts.

Goals: Chris Lloyd (14 mins), Liam Spink (42 mins, penalty), Tom Craine (90+3 mins), Sam Wills (90+4 mins) Yellows: Jason Cowley (42 mins), Craig Jones (90+1 mins), Jon Brown (90+2 mins) Red: Liam Spink (90+1 mins) Referee: Mr M Groves (Shrewsbury). Assistants: Mr G Blackmore (Solihull), Mr A Legg (Castle Bromwich).

Crowd: 208 Weather: Cold, sunny.

Sporting Man of the Match: Aaron Roberts.