Rose suffer defeat following first-half East Fife flurry

After their Scottish Cup fairytale run came to an end at Pittodrie last weekend, Bonnyrigg Rose turned their attention to cinch League Two action as they welcome the visit of Dick Campbell's East Fife to New Dundas Park.

Scott Mercer was cup-tied for the trip to Aberdeen due to playing in the competition already this season for Edinburgh City, and he was on the only change named by Robbie Horn as he came into the side in place of Callum Connolly, with Angus Mailer moving back to his usual role just in front of the defence.

It was a slow start to the game in wet conditions, with the first chance of the game going the way of the Fifers as Kieran Miller's long-range effort sailed just past Paddy Martin's top-right corner.

Chances would continue to come for the away side as their top scorer Nathan Austin found himself through on goal but his tame effort was straight-forward for Martin.

Bonnyrigg Rose were starting to grow into the game but would be hit with a sucker punch as a powerful free-kick was met by Brian Easton whose header looped over Martin into the far corner.

Shortly after, Jack Healy, who was a thorn in Rose's side for most of the game, was brought down in the box by Kerr Young. The experienced Alan Trouten calmly converted from 12-yards to make East Fife's lead a bit more comfortable.

Rose huffed and puffed as they tried to pull a goal back before half-time with Neil Martyniuk and Smart Osadolor both missing chances from inside the box, but East Fife would carry the two-nil lead heading into the break.

Bonnyrigg Rose plugged away in the second-half as they desperately looked for a route back into the game, with a number of attacking changes unable to unlock a resolute and organised East Fife backline.

Reis Peggie was shown a second yellow card in the dying embers of the game after he prevented an East Fife counter-attack.

Rose were brought back down to reality today after the highs of the Scottish Cup the weekend prior, but with a few games in hand over the competition in cinch League Two, there is still plenty to be hopeful about for the rest of the season.

Bonnyrigg Rose return to action on Tuesday evening as they make the long trip up north to face second-placed Peterhead.