SCOTT Adey-Linforth insists Bromsgrove Sporting are still in a great position to secure safety despite suffering an agonising 1-0 derby defeat at Redditch United.
A 98th-minute header from substitute Ryan Boothe at the Valley Stadium saw the Rouslers lose a sixth successive derby match against Redditch.
The result means Sporting sit 15th in the Southern League Premier Central table, five points clear of the relegation zone.
However, Adey-Linforth believes the Rouslers are well-placed to seal their place in the division next season with five matches left to play.
Adey-Linforth said: “We’re very disappointed to lose the game in the manner we did.
“The first-half was even, the conditions were difficult, it was a bit of an ugly affair.
“We controlled the majority of the second half and created some really good opportunities.
“We had a goal disallowed for I don’t know what but to switch off at a set-play so late on is a killer.
“We weren’t good enough in the final third and we’ve got to be better.
“I’ve been saying from the off, we’re not safe until it’s mathematically done.
“We’ve got five big games, we’ve put ourselves in a great position with some unbelievable form.
“[The result] is a kick in the nuts but we have to bounce back.”
A minute’s applause took place before kick-off in memory of former Bromsgrove and Redditch midfielder Tom Rankin who died three years ago.
The Reds created an early chance when Joel Shambrook played a long pass in-behind the Sporting defence as Cyrus Babaie and Sporting goalkeeper Charlie Price competed for the high ball before Aaron Roberts cleared to safety.
And the home side went close again as Anthony Dwyer headed down another long pass only for Price to deny the striker from close range.
Sporting responded with a chance at the other end as Ollie Taylor kept out Theo Robinson’s powerful low drive at his near post.
Bromsgrove thought they had taken the lead early in the second period when Aksum White’s hanging cross deflected into the net off a Redditch defender.
However, the referee awarded the Reds a free-kick after Kyle Rowley went down following an aerial challenge for the ball with Jack Newall and Robinson.
The Rouslers remained on top as Taylor pushed Billy Shaw’s effort to safety from Newall’s defence-splitting pass.
The home side looked to trouble Sporting at the other end as Ben Lomax floated in a cross from the right and Babaie headed wide at the back post.
Sporting almost won the game late on as Jamie Meddows’ free-kick from the right bounced in the penalty area as Taylor claimed the ball at the second attempt.
However, the Reds snatched the points eight minutes into injury time when Boothe headed Josh Esen’s cross from the left into the bottom left corner from six-yards out.
Bromsgrove are next in action against Lowestoft Town on Saturday, April 5 with kick-off at 3pm at the Victoria Ground.
