Vics started the game brightly kicking down the sloping pitch, and they were denied a 12th minute opener when James Marrow’s strong header was cleared off the line by a well-positioned Sam Wain.

There was another narrow escape for the Romans soon afterwards when Leigh Skellern’s shot from distance dipped inches wide of Richard Froggatt’s right-hand post, but Rocester then began to settle and create a few openings at the other end.

During a good spell around the half-hour mark Sterling tested home keeper Stuart Heeps at his near post after a powerful run into the area by Jack Langston, and Sterling then had an even better opportunity when Dan Lowndes sent him clear. The striker knocked the ball past the advancing Heeps and went down under his challenge, but referee Trevor Sharratt felt there wasn’t enough contact and waved away the penalty claims.

Lowndes headed a decent chance a yard over the bar as Rocester continued to keep the pressure on, but the roles were reversed after the break when it was the home side that enjoyed a lot of the ball playing up hill.

Froggatt made a smart save to keep out Tristan Hamilton’s low shot, and Ashley Justin’s superb block frustrated the same player just a few moments later as the Romans rode their luck a little.

But as in the first period Rocester gradually worked their way back and another great chance came Sterling’s way when he broke clear down the left. This time, Heeps left his line to make a fine save, blocking Sterling’s shot with his body.

The game swung decisively in Rocester’s favour eleven minutes from time when a long ball found Mark Hodson on the left of the penalty area. Hodson held the ball up well with his back to goal and turned inside to get a shot at goal, which was blocked by a defenders’ leg. However, the ball fell to Sterling who wasted no time in lashing it into the net from 18 yards.

Four minutes later it was all over when Sterling was once again in the right place to pick up another rebound. This time it was set up by Langston’s thunderous 25-yarder that cannoned back into play off the underside of the bar. Heeps then made a superb save to beat out Hodson’s follow-up, but Sterling had the third bite of the cherry and he made no mistake with a vicious finish from eight yards.

Scorers: Romans – Sterling (79) (83).

Vics: Heeps; Fullalove; Pearson; D.Smith; Burge; C.Smith; Hamilton (Swift 70); Barlow (Massey 84); Marrow; Skellern (Conteh 55); Mould. Subs not used: None.

Romans: Froggatt; Justin; Butler; Wain; Farrelly; Bullock; Hewitt (Clamp 75); Langston; Sterling; Hodson; Lowndes (Roberts 68). Subs not used: Mason; McComisky; Langridge.

Yellow Cards: Vics – Burge, Mould. Romans – Langston, Roberts, Farrelly.

Referee: Mr. T. Sharratt (Burton).

Attendance: 71.