BROMSGROVE Sporting manager Paul Smith is hoping the club can carve out a run in the FA Vase.

The Rouslers booked their place in the First Round on Saturday with a 2-1 win over Tipton Town.

It means they will welcome Nuneaton Griff to the Victoria Ground on Saturday, November 1.

While the main aim this season is an assault on the top spots in the Midlands Division One and a tilt at promotion, Smith would love a run in the competition.

The likes of Walsall Wood and Gornal Athletic in recent years have generated excitement by reaching the competition’s latter stages and Smith would love for the fans to experience the thrill of a run.

Smith said: “The Vase is a competition is something we’ve got a realistic chance of progressing in but it’s not easy.

“Only teams as high as a level above can play in it so we've got a chance of going further into the competition but you’ve got to have some luck in terms of the draw.

“We’ve now got a side from our own league in the next round and if we get through that the rounds become nationalised.”

Smith is still waiting for his new-look Rouslers to click and they were forced to battle hard for the win by Tipton, who are a division above Bromsgrove.

The Black Country side had been struggling in the Midlands Premier but the arrival of new manager Nicky Pugh and an influx of players meant they were a much tougher prospect.

But after Ble Pangne had put them ahead, Chris Conway and Sam Wills hit the target in the second half.

Smith added: “We were out of sorts in the first half but I had a few choice words with the players at half-time and made a few changes early on and it seemed to make the difference.

“Tipton though were very tough, they had a new manager and a host of new players out to impress so we knew we couldn’t taken into account their recent form.”

Bromsgrove are set to welcome back Gary Hay, who was struck down by illness at the weekend, when they tackle Division Three side Smithswood Firs at home in the League Challenge Cup on Saturday (3pm ko).