Rose made a winning return to Creamery Park, the scene of their East of Scotland Cup triumph last year, thanks mainly to the penalty shoot-out heroics of keeper David Hay.

Bonnyrigg started with a different shape than seen in the previous couple of games due to the personnel available with Archibald starting up front. However, they were made to change that early in the first half when Gray had to come off injured, having not recovered from a scything challenge from one of the Bathgate midfielders which most thought warranted a card of some colour but who escaped unpunished. McGachie came on in place for the injured Gray.

Despite long periods of possession in the first half the best chances fell to Bathgate, who chanelled most of their attacks through the lively Swan. However at the end of the first half neither keeper had been called into action.

The second half opening was marred by a long break due to an injury sustained by Welsh, who himself had come on as a substitute.

Once the game restarted for a second time, it was Bonnyrigg who had the best of the chances. A cross in from Roseburgh was headed in the box by McGachie to Archibald whose shot was parried around the post by Reid in the Bathgate goal.

From the resulting corner it was Archibald who went close again, this time his header was cleared off the line by the Bathgate rearguard.

Reid then came to the rescue with good saves from Manson and Roseburgh to deny the Rose the opener.

Bonnyrigg however weren’t having it all of their own way and arguably the best chance in normal time fell to Bathgate on seventy minutes. It was unsurprisingly created by Swan who muscled Archibald off the ball, continued his run down the left flank and with his cross found Malone. He somehow managed to drag the ball wide where it looked easier to score.

Bonnyirgg did have one final effort of note before the referee blew for full time, but it was again Reid in the Bathgate goal who denied the Rose; on this occasion it was from a McGachie effort from close range.

It wasn’t to be however and the lottery that is the penalty shoot-out ensued.

Bathgate took the first penalty which was duly scored by Easton. White was first up for Bonnyrigg but his penalty was duly saved by Reid to his right. Next up for Bathgate was Byles but Hay kept it out. McKenna scored the equaliser. Hay then saved his second penalty from Robinson and were put ahead by the left foot of Roseburgh. Coyle was next up for Bathgate but he too couldn’t find a way past the Bonnyrigg keeper. Manson had the first chance to put Bonnyrigg through but Reid had other ideas and saved. Hay almost made it four in a row but despite getting fingertips to it Lurinsky kept Bathgate in the tie. Their joy was short lived however as Paul Currie scored from the last regulation spot kick to ensure that Bonnyrigg’s defence of the East of Scotland cup continues.

Bonnyrigg Rose: Hay, Horne, Gray (McGachie), Woodburn, White, Gemmell, McKenna, Currie, Archibald, Manson, Roseburgh. Subs not used: Patarek, McDonald, McLeish,

Bathgate Thistle: Reid, (Welsh), (McAuley), Watson, Coyle, Robinson, Byle, Malone( Easton), Baird, Lurinski, Drummond, Swan. Subs not used: Thomson, Nicol.