Clarke double books spot

9:07am Wednesday 19th September 2007

JERMAINE Clarke's brace booked Bromsgrove Rovers an FA Cup second qualifying round date with Nuneaton Borough, after the Greens saw off Shepshed Dynamo at the second attempt.

The striker scored a goal in each half to give Rovers victory in the replay, and avenge a lacklustre display at the Victoria Ground on Saturday.

John Snape replaced the injured Wayne Dyer in Rovers' only change from Saturday.

Keeper Karl Lewis was called into action after just four minutes, with a superb double save from Shepshed's Channon North.

Snape could only clear Tom Guiney's long throw-in as far as North, who had two bites of the cherry, but both shots were blocked by Lewis.

The Greens' first real opportunity fell to Paul Lloyd, who crashed a header off the Shepshed post. Nathan Lamey released Sam Alsop, who whipped in a cross towards the incoming Lloyd, but he saw his effort rattle the woodwork.

Clarke gave Rovers the lead five minutes before the break, rising unchallenged at the back post to head Les Hines' corner past Gary Hateley in the Shepshed goal.

It was another corner that settled the tie on 62 minutes, when the towering striker punished Shepshed's inability to scramble away Jamie Petty's delivery.

It fell to Clarke who rifled home from eight yards.

He could have had a hat trick two minutes later when he blazed an overhead kick over.

Sam Carter, had Shepshed's only second half efforts - a free kick and a header both straight at Lewis.

But Rovers completed a professional job to advance in the famous cup competition.

SHEPSHED: Hateley, Guiney, J Carter, S Carter, Mottershead, Hill, Banks (Kenny, 88 mins), Parr, North, Adelukan (Spencer, 58 mins), Lambert (Nugen, 77 mins). Unused subs: Williams, Munn.

ROVERS: Lewis, Lloyd, McHale, Heeley, Spittle, Alsop, Walters, Snape (M Taylor, 88 mins), Lamey, Clarke (Davis, 85 mins), Hines (Petty, 43 mins). Unused subs: Bridgwater, C Taylor.

Referee: James Thornhill. Attendance: 242.

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