BROMSGBROVE Sporting boss Paul Smith paid tribute to his squad players this week in the wake of their 1-0 win at Heanor Town.

While Sporting continue their impressive run of form, Smith was quick to single out the players who've been sitting on the sidelines of late.

Smith said: "They've been brilliant for me. It's not always easy to watch while the others take the limelight - but they've all played their part.

"I'm looking at people like Jack Wilson, Connor Deards, John Pykett, Joe Ward and Sean Brain. They've all been making sure the players who have currently got the shirts perform.

"Their attitude, commitment and comradeship has been first class.

"It would be easy for them to become miserable and moody because they've not been playing - but instead, they've made sure everyone has been pulling their weight and we wouldn't have been able to do what we have without them."

Smith described Saturday's success at Heanor as a good, tactical battle and said: "Heanor is one of the hardest places we'll have to go to this season. They have a sloping pitch with a strong wind blowing down it.

"We had to defend the slope in the first half, which I thought we did superbly, although we had to defend in numbers at times. The second half was a complete role reversal as we camped in their half.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and we just managed to nick it thanks to 'Mr Reliable' Robbie Bunn and his late goal.

"We had one clear-cut chance in the game and we were clinical with it."

Smith was equally impressed by the manner his side kept another clean sheet. It was their sixth in as many games.

He added: "We were very disciplined in defence especially in the first half when the back four and goalkeeper were immense. It means we've only conceded eight goals in 12 games which is head and shoulders better than anyone else in the Midland League."

Smith will want more of the same this Saturday when Sporting travel to Leicestershire side Shepshed Dynamo.

Sporting will be without striker Jason Cowley who commences a three match ban following his stoppage time dismissal at Heanor.

But Smith is hopeful that Wade Malley will come through an intense week of training unscathed, while both Sean Brain and Joe Ward will be waiting in the wings.