Bromley took a huge step towards promotion to League One with a hard fought 2-1 win over Shrewsbury Town at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night.
The Ravens went into the game in their usual 4-5-1 formation, knowing that with other results having gone their way the previous day, a win would make promotion almost certain.
The game got off to an open start and it was the visitors who had the first chance when Josh Ruffels put an effort over the bar from close range.
The Shrews did take the lead though on 6 minutes, when they cleared a set piece up to Bradley Ihiovien who raced from the halfway line, holding off Marcis Ifill and then slipped the ball under the advancing Grant Smith into the net for 1-0.
Bromley rallied from there and Omar Sowunmi had a header from a corner well saved by Matthew Cox. Soon after another Mitchel Pinnock ball was then headed towards goal by Kyle Cameron, but was also well saved by Cox.
Shrewsbury then had a goal from a long throw ruled out for offside as they continued to threaten Bromley on the break. With The Ravens pressing, Damola Ajaiyi and Ashley Charles went close, before the home side drew level on 38 minutes when a Pinnock corner was turned home at the far post by Ifill to equalise.
In first half injury time Sowunmi headed over from another corner and the sides went in level.
The second half saw Bromley come out looking to be positive and after an early spell of pressure they went in front on 49 minutes when a Pinnock ball into the box was eventually stabbed home by Cameron in a crowded area.
Ifill had a goal ruled out for a foul after Ajayi and Pinnock had combined to set him up. Shrewsbury had more of the ball from there and tried to break down the home defence, but Andy Woodman’s side were resilient in defence.
Ajayi went close with a long range shot that just went over on a rare attack for Bromley. As the half went on Isaac England was denied by Smith, but The Ravens were equal to the Shrewsbury attacks and after Referee Abigail Byrne waved away a penalty appeal when George Lloyd went down in the box, the home side saw the game out to secure a vital win in front of a bumper crowd.
Bromley now travel to Milton Keynes Dons on Saturday lunchtime knowing that a win will see them promoted from League Two in only their second season as an EFL side.
Bromley – Smith, Ifill, Sowunmi, Cameron, Odutayo, Charles (Arthurs 82), Hondermarck, Pinnock (Ilunga 91), Whitely, Ajayi (Krauhaus 82), Kabamba.
Subs Not Used: Evans, Long, Medley, Dinanga.
Shrewsbury – Cox, Ruffels, Anderson, Stubbs, Berkoe (England 79), Ojinnaka (Clucas 64), Freeman (Perry 56), Kabia, Morgan, Marquis (Scully 79), Ihionvien (Lloyd 63).
Subs Not Used: Brook, Isaac.
Goals: BFC – Ifill 38, Cameron 49mins. STFC – Ihionvien 6mins.
HT 1-1 FT 2-1
Att: 4,780
Referee: Ms A Byrne