PAUL Smith remains confident that Bromsgrove Sporting have much to cheer about, despite being held by Lichfield in a frustrating 3-3 draw.

The Rouslers saw their title hopes in the Midlands Division suffer a setback after their bogey side held them.

Bromsgrove remain second in the table but no longer have any games in hand over leaders Highgate, who have a seven-point lead.

But manager Smith was in positive mood after his side’s second consecutive draw.

He said: “There is a lot of doom and gloom on the internet but there is a lot to be positive about.

“We have not lost since September in the league and have won 11 and drawn four, and if someone told me how well we are doing, I would have snapped someone’s hands off for that.

“We’ve made things a little harder for ourselves but we’ve got 16 cup finals left. Our aim is to finish at least runners-up and if we deserve to win promotion we will do.”

Smith also defended Scott Smith and keeper Jake Bedworth after errors in Saturday’s draw.

“Scott and Jake are two of my most reliable players, but Jake’s made two mistakes early on and we’ve found ourselves 2-0 down,” he commented.

“We were the better side and made it 3-2 and I thought we’d score more but Scott made an uncharacteristic error.

“But I cannot criticise them, they’ve been great for me and have done a lot so well.

“We just have to forget Saturday and focus on the rest of the season.”

Sporting handed debuts to midfielder Joe Adams, who joined from Alvechurch, and striker Matthew Gardner, who has bagged 26 goals for Causeway United and AFC Hinckley this season.

Sporting beat Stourport Swifts to his signature.

Smith added: “We’ve had several players unavailable because of work so I want to add a couple of good players to the squad.”

Chris Conway and Reece Hewitt, who both missed Littleton, are set to be available for Saturday’s trip to Stafford Town (3pm ko).