BROMSGROVE Sporting secured their league status with an impressive 2-1 win away at play-off chasing Stratford Town.
In what proved to be Tim Flowers’ final game in charge of the club, goals from Billy Shaw and Nathan Blissett earned the Rouslers a fine victory at the Arden Garages Stadium.
And the result means Sporting are now mathematically safe in the Southern League Premier Central with one game left to play.
The Rouslers made a strong start as Shaw fired straight at Stratford goalkeeper Callum Smith early on.
However, Sporting broke the deadlock on 23 minutes when Shaw curled a shot into the bottom corner from Aaron Roberts’ superb long pass.
Rouslers goalkeeper Ollie Taylor then made a smart save to keep out Lewis Ludford-Ison’s effort.
And Sporting doubled their lead after the break on 53 minutes as Blissett produced a clinical finish after Shaw flicked on another Roberts’ pass into the striker’s path.
The home side responded with chances of their own as Ison headed over the bar and Andre Landell shot straight at Taylor.
Taylor then produced a stunning save to keep Sporting’s two-goal lead intact before he comfortably held Tyrell Hamilton’s audacious lob from distance.
Stratford reduced the deficit in the final minute of regulation time with Taylor unable to keep out Hamilton’s effort which Ison shepherded over the line.
And the Bards spurned a glorious chance to equalise in injury time as Jack Storer headed the ball straight into the arms of Taylor when well-placed in the box.
Bromsgrove finish the season at home to Barwell on Saturday, April 27 with kick-off at 3pm at the Victoria Ground.
