PAUL Smith has revealed that the pain of losing Ryan Mahon for the rest of the season will only spur Bromsgrove Sporting on in their title chase.

The Rousler's hopes of topping the Midlands Division One were rocked when the midfielder enforcer injured his medial knee ligaments while playing Sunday league football.

Mahon, who was taken to hospital and is set to have a scan, and manager Smith made a rare outing for Alvechurch Sunday but the former Stourbridge man injured his knee after an innocuous coming together with a team-mate.

With Joe Adams also missing because of a knee problem, Smith can call on the likes of Sam Wills, Lewis Clarke and Reece Hewitt to fit in but is looking to strengthen as Bromsgrove look to cope with a busy end to season and seal some silverware.

Smith said: "It's a devastating blow.

"Ryan has been a massively important player for me, ever since he's been at the club he has lead on and off the pitch.

"He doesn't normally play on a Sunday but our game against Bolehall was postponed and Alvechurch Sunday asked us to play.

"It was such an innocuous incident, Ryan got his foot stuck in the mud and twisted it.

"All the lads are gutted for him and are straining at the leash to play Southam and win the game for him.

"We want to win the league for Ryan now."

Sporting now have three games in seven days to enhance their title dreams.

Bromsgrove slipped to fifth after their match at fellow high-flyers Bolehall Swifts was called off because of a waterlogged pitch but still have games in hand on all their rivals.

They go to mid-table Southam United tonight (7.45pm ko), take on leaders AFC Hinckley at home on Saturday (3pm ko) and then go to Stafford Town next Tuesday (7.45pm ko) in a vital run of matches.

The game at Swifts has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 21.

Smith added: "We have 12 cup finals of the season left and if we win every game then we'll be very close.

"Only Highgate could finish above us if they won all their games but it's very hard to win every match.

"We'll be giving our all to win the league, there's a great opportunity for this club."