King Cole’s double has boss Robbo aiming high

By Philip Clarke

BROMLEY 2

Ashley 8 og, Cheek 74

Smith 5, Grant 6 (McKirdy 60, 6), Sowunmi 6, Webster 6, Mayor 6 (Odutayo 70, 6), Arthurs 6 (Charles 69, 7), Whitely 7, Imray 6, Thompson 6 (Kabamba 70, 6), Congreve 6 (Ilunga 59, 6), Cheek 7. Subs not used: Long, Elerewe

SALFORD CITY 3

Stockton 16, 62, N’Mai 28

Young 6, Shephard 6, Tilt 8, Garbutt 6, Mnoga 8, Ashley 7, Fornah 6 (Longelo 79, 6), N’Mai 7, Woodburn 6 (Lund 64, 6), Stockton 8, Adelakun 6 (Warrington 88, 6). Subs not used: Jones, Edwards, Taylor, Wright

KARL Robinson was delighted with his Salford side as their thrilling win made it back-to-back victories in their quest for a play-off place.

An early own-goal from Ossama Ashley gave Bromley the lead, but a Cole Stockton double and a Kelly N’Mai goal ensured Salford hit Bromley three times before Michael Cheek’s late volley set up a grandstand finish.

Ammies manager Robinson said: “I’m absolutely delighted with the win. I’ve always said that when my best side is available we are a match for any side in this division.

“We’ve had a horrendous run of injuries but this is now my side back to full fitness and the last two performances have shown what they can do.”

Bromley took the lead inside the opening ten minutes when Ashley turned Adam Mayor’s cross into his own net, but Salford were level within 10 minutes. Ashley atoned for his error by feeding Stockton to shoot low past Grant Smith.

Salford took the lead for the first time when Haji Mnoga worked space for Kelly N’Mai to shoot beyond Smith.

Corey Whitely should have equalised before the interval.

However, he skewed his shot wide with only keeper Matthew Young to beat.

Stockton stretched Salford’s lead when he took advantage of loose defending to keep his cool and shoot under the approaching Smith.

But Cheek’s 18th league goal of the season set up a tense end, the striker meeting an Ashley Charles corner with a sweet half-volley to narrow the deficit.

Bromley pushed for a late equaliser, but Brooklyn Ilunga curled an effort narrowly wide as the Ammies held on for all three points.

Robinson added: “Bromley were the better team for 20 minutes and they had us trapped in their high press, but once we got to grips with it

I thought we were excellent. We showed our quality at the right stages and I thought all things considered it was a really good performance.”

Ravens manager Andy Woodman cut a frustrated figure at the final whistle.

He said: “It was a case of us making our own errors. We were the best team on the pitch, but that’s irrelevant if you give away goals like the ones we did.

“We gifted Salford two, if not all three, goals and we can’t be giving up the ball so freely. We shouldn’t be in a situation where we are chasing a game at home.”