Rook strike sinks Bromley

A Carl Rook goal did the trick against a side that were second before kick-off.

Bromley threatened early on with Adolph Amoako twice going close and Romuald Boua also forcing a smart save out of the very impressive Danny Knowles as Hastings struggled to get to grips against their neat and tidy opponents.

But the introduction of midfielder Steve Ringwood, in place of defender Richard Bolton, offered the home side greater balance and gradually they began to take control.

Rook had already volleyed over when on 32 minutes he headed home from a devil of a Russell Eldridge free kick which kicked up off the turf and homed in on the striker's forehead like an exocet.

Soon after a long punt upfield by Knowles was headed on by Rook and from 25 yards Honey uncorked a thumping shot which smacked against the upright. Bromley goalkeeper Andy Walker then did well to beat out another effort from that man Rook.

Hastings were pretty comfortable in the second half but with only one goal in it could never afford to relax. Rook should have made the points safe 17 minutes from time but after Walker had spilled Honey's shot he contrived to blaze over from four yards.

Hastings manager Steve Lovell said: "Knowlesy made a couple of good saves early on which kept us in it but after that I think we dominated the game and if we had got a second we would have gone to win by three or four, but when it's only 1-0 there is always a chance they can get something and that's what kept them going," Lovell continued.

"They played for set plays, they played for corners but we matched them and that was the pleasing thing; physically we won our headers, we cleared the ball and kicked it into touch when we had to - we defended properly."