BROMSGROVE Rovers' arch rivals Redditch United have called time on their bid to capture Richard Burgess.

United made a shock seven-day approach for Burgess, who has scored five times for Rovers this season, last week.

But Reds boss Rod Brown said the striker was staying to fight for his place at the Victoria Ground.

He said: "He has played quite well in the last couple of games and he feels he is going to get in.

"I am disappointed because I rate Richard but at the moment he is staying with Bromsgrove."

Burgess has been rested for a few of Rovers' matches before last Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Cinderford and is valued by joint manager Gary Hackett.

"We don't want to lose him," Hackett said.

"He hasn't played as well recently even though his last two games have been very good.

"He didn't come back from pre-season as fit as we would have liked but I believe we are starting to see the real Richard Burgess.

"I am sure he will be back on the goal scoring trail soon."

Burgess, who has had spells with Port Vale and Nuneaton Borough, played 90 minutes at Cinderford, the first time Rovers had lost a league match since last December.

Hackett added: "It's a remarkable record. The important thing was that the performance was there on Saturday.

"I thought we played some very good football and I have never seen a game when the ball has gone either side of the post so many times."

Rovers make their longest journey of the season on Saturday with a trip to Taunton Town.