TIM Flowers' first game in the dugout as Bromsgrove Sporting manager was a winning one with the Rouslers beating in-form St Ives Town 2-0.

Miro Pais gave the Victoria Ground hosts the lead in the 28th minute before Northampton Town loanee Peter Abimbola scored deep into second-half added time to seal the victory for former England goalkeeper Flowers who took over from Michael McGrath.

The opening stages of the Southern League Premier Central game were low on clear-cut chances and the 17th minute saw Keanu Cooper drill an enticing ball into the box that managed to evade everybody.

The deadlock was broken after winger Pais put the ball into the back of the net from inside the box via an Aaron Roberts headed assist.

Edmund Hottor had a chance to level proceedings 10 minutes later but his shot from the edge of the area went narrowly wide.

Pais almost doubled his tally for the afternoon seven minutes into the second half but his opportunistic effort didn't find the target.

Bromsgrove's Billy Shaw was extremely lively after coming off the bench, having three shots on goal with the last producing a fine save from Lewis Patching.

The 88th minute saw Pais, who was voted player of the match, put in a brilliant tackle to prevent the prolific Jonathan Edwards having a goalscoring opportunity from close range.

The win, watched by 612 fans, was secured eight minutes later as debutant Abimbola slotted home into an empty net with Patching stranded after going up for a corner.

Experienced 6ft 5ins forward Nathan Blissett also made his debut after signing from Stafford Rangers with the 33-year-old counting Bristol Rovers, Plymouth Argyle, Solihull Moors and Kidderminster Harriers among his former clubs.

Out of the exit door is midfielder Conor Tee after a seven-day approach from higher-ranked Rushall Olympic along with forwards Prince Henry, Tristan Dunkley and Keiron Berry and full-back Ben O’Hanlon who have all been released.

Sporting head to Hitchin Town in the league on Saturday (3pm) with the two sides level on 34 points in 16th and 17th places respectively.