Deji Elerewe netted a tenth-minute winner to boost Bromley’s play-off dreams with a 1-0 win over Doncaster Rovers at Hayes Lane.
Elerewe bundled in the only goal of a tense contest from Brooklyn Ilunga’s rebound tenth-minute cross in a nervy contest, as Bromley dug deep defensively in a resilient display to complete the league double over Doncaster this season.
Andy Woodman’s Ravens now sit ninth in the table with a four-point gap to the final play-off spot which is held by Crewe Alexandra, whilst Doncaster remained third after Notts County and AFC Wimbledon also tasted defeat.
Sat seven point adrift of the final play-off spot at kick-off after their narrow win at Doncaster’s fellow promotion rival – AFC Wimbledon, Bromley began this huge game on a positive defensive note as Grant Smith saved Rob Street’s sixth-minute shot.
Bromley’s optimism continued to grow after Bryon Webster was fouled two minutes later during a free-kick, with the subsequent set-piece cleared in the tenth minute to Ilunga who whipped in a rebound cross which Elerewe bundled in from close range to put the Ravens in front.
Their lead almost proved short-lived three minutes later after Jordan Gibson teed up Luke Molyneux, but the ex Hartlepool United player smashed his shot into the left-side netting to spare Bromley’s blushes.
Doncaster continued to press against a resilient Bromley defence and their frustrations showed in the 19th minute as Harry Clifton unleashed a reckless tackle upon Corey Whitely, which earned him luckily just a yellow card for his rash actions.
Gibson and Jamie Sterry saw shots denied as Doncaster soon dominated much of the first half minus a composed sharp cutting edge to their end product, with Woodman’s Ravens digging deep defensively to protect their lead to half-time as Smith crucially parried away a deflected 39th-minute shot from Gibson.
The status quo continued in the second half as Doncaster remained in control without a clinical edge as Molyneux curled a 59th-minute free-kick onto the crossbar which saw the ball loop over into the crowd.
Street saw a 73rd-minute shot saved by Smith which sparked a Bromley counter-attack that culminated in a curled shot over the bar from Ben Thompson.
Doncaster continued to push until the final whistle for an equaliser amidst headers from Street and Tom Anderson which flew over the bar and found Smith’s hands respectively, yet Bromley once again dug in and forced Teddy Sharman-Lowe to save Nicke Kabamba’s looped 95th-minute deflected touch towards Doncaster’s goal.
Doncaster substitutes, Ethan Ennis and Billy Sharp saw injury-time chances fly wide of goal in a tense finish but Bromley ultimately kept them at bay to record consecutive clean sheets, which duly saw their play-off chances receive a huge boost as results elsewhere swung in their favour.
What’s Next?
Bromley head to relegation-battling Tranmere Rovers on Saturday 8 March in a crucial game for their play-off hopes at 3pm GMT.
Doncaster continue their push for automatic promotion with a home clash against Swindon at the above time on the same date.
Teams
Bromley: Grant Smith, Carl Jenkinson, Deji Elerewe (Sowunmi 65′), Byron Webster, Adam Mayor, Jude Arthurs, Cameron Congreve, Ben Thompson, Corey Whitely, Brooklyn Ilunga (Paul-Lavaly 71′), Michael Cheek (Kabamba 91′)
Substitutes: Louis Dennis, Kamarl Grant, Marcus Ifill, Nicke Kabamba, Sam Long, Nathan Paul-Lavaly, Omar Sowunmi
Doncaster: Teddy Sharman-Lowe, Jamie Sterry (Sharp 71′), Joseph Olowu (Ennis 95′), Jay McGrath (Anderson 56′), James Maxwell (Ironside 71′), Owen Bailey, George Broadbent, Luke Molyneux, Harry Clifton (Sbarra 46′), Jordan Gibson, Rob Street
Substitutes: Tom Anderson, Charlie Crew, Ethan Ennis, Joe Ironside, Ian Lawlor, Joe Sbarra, Billy Sharp
Referee – Robert Madley
