Lloyd grabs late equaliser as Rovers stun young guns

8:57am Wednesday 25th July 2007

BROMSGROVE Rovers continued to wet their appetite for the new season by snatching a deserved 1-1 draw against Fulham's second string.

Paul Lloyd grabbed his second goal of the pre-season campaign, equalising five minutes from time to round off an encouraging display from Rovers against a young Cottagers side managed by former Scotland international Billy McKinlay. He was on target after being set up by returning former Rovers player Keelan McNally, who's father Dave is managing director at Fulham.

The Greens, who began the game with a similar line-up to the one that finished last week's 5-1 thrashing of Worcester City, were clearly out to prove a point against the team of young Premiership hopefuls. They made the brighter start when Keith Russell met Kevin Banner's cross, but the trialist failed to make clean contact with his diving header.

Fulham managed an early chance of their own, when Karl Lewis saved at the feet of Matt Sanders, before John Snape scrambled Ismael Ehui's rebound clear.

Rovers had an impressive 25 minute spell, and with midfielder David Bridgewater in sparkling form, they were able to string together a series of exciting moves.

Neil Davis slashed a shot well wide on 21 minutes, latching on to Lamey's through ball after Bridgewater won possession in his own half.

Bridgewater set up Davis again later on in the half, when he outmuscled Rob Milson and floated a ball across, but Davis volleyed at the feet of goalkeeper Corrin Brookes-Meade.

Russell came desperately close from another Banner cross, with his header sailing inches past the post.

Fulham defender Adam Watts had to scramble a Lamey effort off the line in the 32nd minute after the Rovers forward used his strength to bundle the ball round Brookes-Meade.

But Rovers were hit with a cruel blow three minutes before half time, when Sanders found himself free inside the area, and his cross was easily finished by Ehui from close range.

The visitors demonstrated their superior fitness and technical ability in the second half, and goalkeeper Chris Taylor, a half time substitute, was called into action on four occasions, including a brave block at the feet of Ehui.

Ehui beat the offside trap for Fulham's best chance of the second half on 57 minutes, collecting Milsom's through ball, but Taylor was equal to the effort.

Rovers left it late to search for an equaliser, and substitutes Gary Hay and Jermaine Clarke both sent headers over the bar.

But it was Lloyd who finally took his chance, meeting McNally's lay off to fire into the bottom corner, capping an excellent night's work from the Greens.

Rovers: Lewis 6 (Taylor 7, 45 mins), Smith 6 (Petty 6, 63 mins), Lloyd 7, Snape 6, Spittle 7 (McHale 6, 63 mins), BRIDGEWATER 8 (Allsop 6, 63 mins), Russell 7 (Cotterill 6, 63 mins), Taylor 6 (Walters 7, 63 mins), Davis 6 (Clarke 6, 63 mins), Lamey 7 (Hay 6, 63 mins), Banner 7 (McNally 6, 45 mins).

Fulham: Brookes-Meade, Moncur, Briggs, Omozusi, Watts, Milsom, Hudson-Odi, Ehui, Goncalves, Anderson, Sanders.

Referee: Mr W.Barrett. Attendance: 413.

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