Fifteen minutes of outstanding football from Bromsgrove Sporting made up for a largely disappointing first seventy-five as they beat Atherstone Town 3-1 in the Midlands Division One on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors opened the scoring just shy of the half hour mark as Liam Bailey slotted home from close range.
The beginning of the second half saw Sporting continue in the doldrums and a penalty for the Adders after an hour looked set to seal the home side's fate.
However, the spot kick was squandered and the Rouslers capitalised. An own-goal followed by one from new signing Kyle Turner and the player who was instrumental in their fight-back, super-sub Dale Edwards, ensured another three points.
Both sides had valid penalty claims in the early encounters, but referee Mr Teraud adjudged keepers Josh Moreton and Phil Smith to have not committed fouls.
Misplaced passes were rife amongst the Sporting midfielders, looking out of sorts inside the first half an hour and they were punished, as David Boal's lightning turn of speed up the wing allowed him to cross to Bailey, who had the simple task of dispatching the ball into the corner.
Bromsgrove should have equalised only moments later, as Brain's ability to beat defenders at will resulting in a pass to Turner. With the goalkeeper nowhere to be seen and the goal at his mercy, his tame effort was easily booted off the line.
Chances came for both teams in the final ten minutes of the half, as Craig Jones' header rocked the crossbar and Atherstone's Mark Latham thought he had beaten the offside trap and slotted home, only for the linesman to chalk it off.
After the break, the first chances fell to the home side, with Sam Wills' curling free kick exquisitely saved by Phil Smith and the rebound falling to Connor Collins, who could only hit the post.
Sporting were spared the daunting task of a two goal deficit to chase after an hour, as Luke Tyler put his penalty wide of the upright after Jones brought down Latham inside the box.
The final quarter of an hour saw Sporting turn the game on its head. A tremendous cross from Wills fell to Brain, whose shot went in off defender Jamie Abbott from as little as half a yard to bring the teams level.
Edwards had a chance to give Bromsgrove the lead but saw his left footed effort saved well. He was to be pivotal in getting their second though, as his perfectly weighted pass fell to Turner, who struck his shot confidently home.
With ten minutes left, Atherstone stopper Smith saw red as he appeared to grapple Edwards' neck from behind following a fracas that saw the Sporting substitute booked.
Making the long walk to the dressing room, topless and visually angry, he was replaced by Lloyd Storey, but within five minutes of him coming on, he was faced with a shot from Edwards that squirmed under his body and into the net.
The Rouslers were reduced to ten men late on too, as Luke Dugmore received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge.
Edwards could have doubled his tally in injury time but his header from fellow substitute Ethan Hanks' cross was put wide.
A result that flattered Sporting slightly based on the majority of the match but it's three points that keep any hopes of promotion alive.
Sporting: Josh Moreton, Aaron Roberts, Jack Wilson, Luke Dugmore, Craig Jones, Brendan Kelly, Sean Brain, Sam Wills, Connor Collins, Kyle Turner (Ethan Hanks 88 mins), Liam Spink (Dale Edwards 46 mins).
Subs not used: Sam Delaney, Chris Jay, Ryan Pierpoint.
Goals: Own Goal (Jamie Abbott 74 mins), Kyle Turner (79 mins), Dale Edwards (88 mins)
Yellows: Aaron Roberts (61 mins), Dale Edwards (83 mins)
Red: Luke Dugmore (90 mins - second yellow)
Atherstone: Phil Smith, Kurtis Mewies, Lee Waters, Ashley Gray, Harrison White, Liam Bailey, Jamie Abbott (Luke Storey 83 mins), Mark Latham, Alan Miller, David Boal (Michael Bloore 63 mins), Luke Tyler.
Subs not used: Ryan Ball. Louie O'Connor, George Brindley
Goal: Liam Bailey (29 mins)
Yellows: Mark Latham (50 mins), Liam Bailey (65 mins), Ashley Gray (90+4 mins)
Red: Phil Smith (83 mins)
Referee: Mr L Teraud (Halesowen)
Assistants: Mr P Rodway (Rubery), Mr M Homer (Rednal)
Crowd: 294
Weather: Cold, windy
Sporting MoM: Dale Edwards
Reporter: Max Banner |