Bromsgrove Sporting ignited hopes of a possible cup run on Saturday afternoon, as they eased to a 3-1 win over Dudley Sports in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Vase.
An early goal from Connor Collins settled any nerves the home side may have had, with Sam Wills doubling the Rouslers' tally after half an hour with a close range effort.
A penalty for Dudley, which was dispatched by Stuart Hillman, gave the visitors a glimmer of hope inside the last five minutes, but a goal from substitute Sean Brain, with the last kick of the game, secured the victory for Sporting.
From the offset, Bromsgrove were playing with flair and panache, with sharp passing amongst the midfield and attackers prevalent. It was one of these, new signing Collins, who opened the scoring after ten minutes. He curled his left footed effort into the bottom corner in style, although goalkeeper Samuel Pearson would have been annoyed that the palm he got to it could not divert the ball wide.
Simon Fitter had the first of his many chances on the 18th minute mark; his shot from long-range was comfortably saved by Pearson. But Sporting would not have to wait much longer to extend their lead, Wills' run into the box left him one on one with the keeper, the resultant shot calmly placed into the net.
Fitter had four free kicks either side of the half time whistle, two before and two after. The closest he came to a goal came eight minutes into the second half, when his sumptuously struck free kick pinged off the crossbar and to safety.
Liam Spink missed an inviting opportunity fifteen minutes from the end before Luke Williams saw his opportunistic effort for visitors tipped over by Sporting's latest shot stopper Josh Moreton.
The spot kick came for Dudley after Craig Jones committed a foul; Hillman#s strike providing Sporting with a nervy last few moments.
However, Brain's last gasp effort, whereby he took the ball around Pearson and found an open goal at his mercy, secured the win and allayed any fears the home side may have had.
Sporting: Josh Moreton, Aaron Roberts, Brendan Kelly (Capt), Simon Fitter, Craig Jones, James McKeon, Liam Spink, Reece Hewitt, Connor Collins (Ricardo Richards 69 mins), Sam Wills (Sean Brain 69 mins), Luke Dugmore (Dale Edwards 80 mins)
Suns not used: Sam Delaney, Ollie Gibson
Goals: Collins (9 mins), Wills (30 mins), Brain (90 mins)
Cards: None
Dudley: Sam Pearson, Josh Taylor (Jerome Chambers 72 mins), Matt Hanson, Jamie Parker, Jason Walters, Luke Williams, Lucas Muckley (Richard Antwi 90+3 mins), Tom Watkins (Capt), Shepherd Machingauta, Stuart Hillman, Aaron Gordon.
Subs not used: Jordan Powell, Warren Whitcombe.
Goal: Hillman (pen 85 mins)
Yellows: Walters (44 mins), Williams (62 mins)
Referee: Mr M Malone (Stafford)
Assistants: Mr A Lawrence (Cannock), Mr P Brown (Rugeley)
Crowd: 267
Weather: Mild, overcast.
Sporting MoM: Simon Fitter
Reporter: Max Banner
