Rose pay the penalty in Peterhead

After a week off, Bonnyrigg Rose returned to action as they made the trip up north to face Peterhead at the Balmoor Stadium, the first ever meeting between the Rose and the Blue Toon.

Robbie Horn made just the one change to the team that demolished Elgin City 5-1 two weeks ago as Callum Connolly came into the side to replace Lee Currie.

The first half was competitive with chances aplenty for both sides. The first chance of the contest fell the way of Peterhead as a curling effort from just outside the area from Conor O'Keefe went narrowly wide.

Smart Osadolor, high on confidence after netting his first Rose goal against Elgin, went close shortly after as his header went just wide of Stuart McKenzie's left post.

The Blue Toon continued to push for an opener in the latter stages of the first period after a pair of chances fell the way of Rory McAllister, the club's record goalscorer. The first saw a Joe McKee effort deflect in his direction but he could only poke it straight at Paddy Martin. The second was a powerful header from a McKee free-kick as he ghosted between the Rose defence but his header was caught by Martin.

There was a tentative approach from both sides in the early stages of the second half and Peterhead eventually opened the scoring in the 67th minute as Jack Brown squared to substitute Hamish Ritchie who rifled home inside the box, just 3 minutes after he took to the field.

Bonnyrigg Rose were handed a lifeline with just over 10 to play as Angus Mailer was bundled by Jordan Armstrong in the box following a free-kick.

Neil Martyniuk continued his good start to the season from the spot as cinch League 2's top scorer tucked it into the corner beyond McKenzie who had made a good effort in diving the right way.

However, there was to be some late heartbreak on the road for Rose as McAllister was fouled by substitute Dean Watson following a set-piece.

Kieran Shanks stepped up for the hosts and made no mistake from 12 yards as he powered his penalty past Martin and secured all 3 points for Peterhead.

Despite the defeat, Bonnyrigg Rose remain at the summit of cinch League 2 and will look to bounce back as they welcome the visit of Stenhousemuir to New Dundas Park next Saturday.