Atherstone 1 Bromsgrove Sporting 2

BROMSGROVE Sporting battled back late on to beat Atherstone but will have to settle for second place in the Midlands Division One after Highgate United sealed the title by defeating Coventry Copsewood.

For the second season in a row, the Rouslers finished runners-up in the lead but Paul Smith’s men can be proud of push the champions all the way after the recorded a ninth straight win.

Sporting came up against much more difficult opponents this evening in Atherstone who closed down and marked closely in mid-field giving Bromsgrove no space and precious little time on the ball.

The home side relied more on breaks and they were first in action when Cameron Stuart fired wide of the right-hand post on the fourth minute.

Sporting had to wait until the 18th for their first good opportunity when Lewis Clarke turned well in the box but put his shot over the bar, Atherstone finally got their noses in front with 31 minutes on the clock.

Ryan Ball put over a pinpoint cross from the left to Stuart who struck well from 10 yards out well wide of Jake Bedford's outstretched arm.

Sporting continued to spend much of the game in their opponent’s half and persevered with the tactic of high balls into the box to target man Josh McKenzie who laid off well but with few chances created as the Adders back line mopped up all threats.

Aaron Williams though did have a couple of half-chances just before the interval.

The second half opened up a bit more with Sporting in search of the equaliser and Atherstone anxious to give themselves a cushion but both defences continued to play well.

The introduction of Chris Conway and Will Tibbetts gave Sporting a bit more width up front but still Phil Smith in the opposition goalmouth remained relatively untroubled.

Sam Wills was shown a straight red card after an 82nd melee and an alleged head butt, while Atherstone’s Ben Ashby as both teams were reduced to ten men.

Sporting made it 1-1 in the 91st minute when Jack Wilson put a neat cross into the Atherstone penalty area that Tibbetts swept home.

Craig Jones then volleyed home a Conway cross to seal the three points at the death.

But Highgate sealed top spot with a comprehensive 4-0 win in Coventry.

Saturday's home match against Nuneaton Griff should be an end of season celebration but all eyes will now be on next Wednesday's League Cup final against Southam United at the Bescot Stadium.

Atherstone: Smith, Gorle, Astley, Eggleton, Olanipekun, Webb, Ashby, Ball, Reynolds, Stuart, Mullings (Selvester, 46) Subs not used: Randle, Parrott, Gray, Beeson.

Sporting: Bedford, Morris, Wilson, Fitter, Jones, Williams (Adams, 72), Brain, Duggan (Tibbetts, 59), McKenzie, Wills, Clarke (Conway, 59).

Subs not used: Hewitt, Delaney.

Referee R Watkins (Nuneaton) Crowd: 205 Sporting Man of the Match: Craig Jones