BROMSGROVE Sporting suffered their first defeat under recently-appointed manager Tim Flowers with a 2-1 loss at basement boys Berkhamsted, writes Max Banner.

The hosts recorded their first home victory of the Southern League Premier Division Central campaign on Saturday as Max Bustamante put them ahead three minutes into the second half from the penalty spot before Thomas Newman doubled the advantage in the 80th minute.

Billy Shaw netted for Bromsgrove with virtually the last kick of the game as the Rouslers ultimately fell short.

Flowers took charge in the dugout for last month's 2-0 win over St Ives Town and then recorded a 2-1 success at Hitchin Town before Sporting were held 1-1 at home by Berkhamsted on March 9.

Sporting skipper Luke Rowe blazed a sixth-minute effort over the bar from just inside the area.

Twelve minutes later Bromsgrove keeper Ollie Taylor made a double save from a Sami Bessadi free-kick and Conner Toomey's rebound.

Peter Abimbola and Nathan Blissett both had chances for the visitors later in the half but neither were able to find the target.

The second half got off to a terrible start for Bromsgrove as David Solademi was adjudged to have brought down Bustamante in the area before he subsequently stepped up to take the penalty and slotted home with aplomb.

Sporting's Finn Howell put a free-kick over the bar soon after and Blissett almost levelled in the 79th minute but his shot from inside the box was kept out.

Moments later, the Comrades scored again as Bustamante capitalised on a defensive mix-up by taking the ball around Taylor and teeing up Newman who had a simple finish from close range.

The game's final goal was netted by substitute Shaw who struck home from approximately 20 yards out with a sweetly-struck drive.

Bromsgrove, who have extended the loan of Northampton Town midfielder Peter Abimbola for another month, return home to entertain leaders Needham Market at the Victoria Ground in the league on Saturday (3pm).

Sporting: Taylor, Derricott, Howell (Shaw 74), Richards-Everton, Roberts (Alamu 90+1), Solademi, Rowe, Abimbola, Newell, Bruck (Leachman-Whittingham 61), Blissett. Unused substitutes: Obitayo, Alamu.

Referee: Mr J Gibson.

Sporting player of the match: Jack Newell.

Attendance: 235.