BROMLEY returned home from a frozen Twerton Park last night with a fine victory against Bath City.

Goals either side of half-time from Louie Theophanous and Pierre Joseph-Dubois clinched the points for the visitors.

However, it was the hosts who had the first chance of the game in the third minute when Noah Keats’ strong shot from the edge of the area was beaten away by Joe Welch.

Although both sides had plenty of possession in the middle third of the pitch, they were unable to create any clear cut chances at either end.

In fact, it was not until the 23rd minute Bromley had their first opportunity on goal when Tony Finn blazed over the bar when well placed.

Danny Waldren just failed to connect with a Sanchez Ming cross and Tom Nichols shot wide at the other end before Bromley opened the scoring seven minutes before the break.

Elliott Buchanan threaded a delightful ball for Theophanous to run onto before confidently tucking his shot under the advancing Jason Mellor.

Bath began the second half with more urgency but were stunned in the 56th minute when Bromley doubled their lead.

The visitors broke down the right and Theophanous’ chipped cross was chested down by Joseph-Dubois, only for the ball to squeeze under Mellor and trickle over the line despite the keeper’s desperate attempt to claw it away.

The assistant referee indicated the ball had crossed the line and there were no protests from the home side.

Waldren twice went close to increasing the lead with a pair of drives which both went narrowly past the post just after the hour mark.

Bath then made all their three substitutions, which briefly had the desired effect as Charlie Griffin headed wide with Welch stranded before Nichols’ shot on the turn was pushed around the post by the Bromley keeper.

Nichols, on loan from Exeter City, then shot straight at Welch after Mark Preece and Adam Connolly had seen their efforts blocked by defenders.

The hosts continued to press forward and with six minutes remaining should really have reduced the arrears.

Sekani Simpson’s cross picked out Griffin, but the striker headed straight at Welch when it seemed easier to pick his spot either side of the keeper.

However, the spell of Bath pressure passed and Bromley comfortably played out the remaining minutes to take the three points and move them into the top half of the table for the first time this season.

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Bromley: Welch, Ming, Patterson, Fuseini, Swaibu, Harwood, Joseph-Dubois (Rhule 80), Waldren, Theophanous, Buchanan (Jones 85), Finn. Subs not used: Orome, Taiwo, Chaaban. Att: 386.