BROMSGROVE Sporting earned a point with virtually the last kick of the game in a dramatic end to Saturday's opening Southern Premier Central league game of the season against Coalville Town.

Centre-back Leon Broadhurst's 93rd-minute penalty, struck ferociously down the middle of the goal, cancelled out Tim Berridge's 50th minute header for Coalville.

A crowd of 569 turned up at the Victoria Ground as fans were welcomed back to non-league football after months away and they witnessed an entertaining affair.

The game's first clear chance went to Bromsgrove's Tom Taylor, who had a header from an Aram Soleman cross miraculously cleared off the line 19 minutes in.

Berridge almost scored the opener five minutes before the interval, but his shot inside the area was sensationally saved by the outstretched palm of Sporting stopper Daniel Platt.

The visitors took the lead after a touch of magic out on the wing by Rhys Hoenes allowed him to cross to Berridge, who headed home inside the box.

Sporting enjoyed plenty of chances after the goal as Soleman had a couple of efforts from decent positions and Nathan Hayward saw his fiercely struck drive from 20 yards clatter the crossbar.

Coalville's Joe Doyle-Charles was sent off after a second booking with 10 minutes left and Bromsgrove piled on the pressure in the closing stages.

That pressure was eventually rewarded as Mikey Taylor was brought down in the area and Broadhurst stepped up to confidently hammer the ball home.

Manager Brendan Kelly did some last-minute transfer business last Wednesday, bringing in striker Courtney Richards from scheduled FA Cup opponents Stratford Town.

Richards is a versatile player with bags of experience, whose previous clubs include Brighton, Torquay United, Macclesfield Town, Braintree and Nuneaton Borough.

Meanwhile, three younger members of the squad have been given loan moves to gain much-needed experience.

Tom Massey and Jake Bloomer have joined up with Sutton Coldfield Town while Sam Collins makes the short journey up the road to Fairfield Villa.

Sporting are set to play Stratford in the FA Cup first qualifying round tomorrow evening (Tuesday) with the draw for the next round taking place on Friday, should the Rouslers progress.

They will be back in league action on Saturday, visiting Biggleswade Town before making the shorter trip to Rushall Olympic on Tuesday evening.