LIAM Spink's first-half strike was enough to lift the gloom at Bromsgrove Sporting after a harrowing start to their Southern League Premier Central campaign.

The Rouslers lost their opening two games without scoring and conceding seven after heavy defeats to Leiston and county rivals Alvechurch but finally recorded their first win of the season following a battling performance at Needham Market.

Spink looped a header over Needham's Marcus Garnham in goal after Jourdain Masidi 's pin-point cross on the half-hour mark to give the visitors the lead.

Sporting defended bravely after the break and thanks to a fine performance from keeper Akos Onodi, they were able to cling on to a clean sheet and earn a morale boosting three points.

With neither team having made a good start to the season, the first 15 minutes was played in the middle of the park as nobody appeared to want to take any risks, especially with referee Mr Robertson-Tant in a less than forgiving mood.

It was a quiet opening but the game finally sprung into life in thr 30th minute when Jourdain Masidi managed to get behind the home back four and floated in a delightful cross to the far post that Spink looped over the head of 'keeper Marcus Garnham into the bottom corner.

Market seemed to take this as sign to wake up and shortly after the goal, Onódi made a great save picking the ball up from Callum Page's toes.

Luke Ingram blasted just wide moments later whilst Kyle Hammond had the goal at his mercy but scuffed his shot just before half-time.

Needham continued to press forward after the interval forcing Onódi to make a great tip over from Hammond followed by a save with his legs from substitute Will Hunt.

However, several other attacks petered out as Needham were guilty of poor finishing.

Sporting wer living dangerously as the game entered the final stages and found themselves slipping further and further back.

But despite some hairy moments, the hosts couldn't muster a late equaliser and the away side could celebrate a much-needed win.