Deflation in Dundee

With the BBC cameras out, the nation's eyes were on the Rosey Posey at a cold and wintery Dens Park, in the hope of witnessing an emphatic cup upset.

The Championship side were at near enough full strength, so it came to no surprise that they came flying out of the traps.

The crafty Osman Sow, who had multiple chances throughout the evening, forced Alan Horne into a crucial block within the opening three minutes. Moments later and Dean Hoskins intervened before the incoming Paul McGowan could have a sight on goal.

Despite Dundee’s early and expected dominance, the first glaring chance fell to the feet of George Hunter. Man of the Match in the first round against Bo’ness United, Hunter found himself through one vs one with Jack Hamilton after being picked out delightfully by Hoskins. However, the former Hearts shot-stopper made a strong save to deny the Rose frontman his third goal of the competition.

In a fairly contested opening 25 minutes, where Robbie Horn’s side never once looked out of place, the visitors were soon granted a reward for their efforts. Hoskins was fouled in the box as he attempted to latch onto yet another exquisite ball from Lee Currie. The referee failed to point to the spot straight away, but his linesman was adamant and the penalty eventually came. What followed was less contentious. Off the back of his hattrick of penalties against Bo’ness last time out, Currie couldn’t be in better form and unsurprisingly, fired his side ahead from the spot.

Conceding undoubtedly fired James McPake’s side up. Mark Weir was forced into a flurry of saves from Charlie Adam, Danny Mullen and Sow alike. As half time approached, Horne yet again produced some exceptional last-ditch defending to preserve the Rose’s advantage heading into half time.

In a mirror image to the first half, the boys in blue started on the front foot. A number of half chances fell the way of the home side before a string of serious opportunities arose.

Cranking up the pressure even more, Adam checked an inch-perfect reverse ball into the feet of Mullen but the former Livi man couldn’t correct his feet in time and the bounce of the ball ended safely in the arms of Weir. Sow then saw his header from inside the six-yard box saved sublimely by the eventual Man of the Match.

Dundee had their own claims for a penalty with just over 20 minutes remaining. Hoskins appeared to have his hands on Sow and despite dense calls from the Dee, the referee waved them away. The Swede forced Weir into a powerful left-handed save; one of which was for the cameras.

Jonny Stewart and George Hunter made way for Lewis Turner and Ross Gray as the Rose were desperately in need of some fresh legs.

Attack after attack, Weir yet again produced to deny McGowan with less than 15 minutes to go. However, all the Rose keeper could do was hold his breath as Neil Martyniuk halved his attempted clearance goal-wards, but it struck the woodwork instead of the back of his own net.

Keiran McGachie made way for Bob Wilson in injury time, just before Lee Ashcroft was the next to be denied by the palms of Weir.

In the final role of the dice, in the third minute of injury time, Adam delivered his corner deep, towards Ashcroft, who headed it back into the danger zone. Sow flicked on and Weir manufactured an outstanding left-handed save but on-loan Celtic youngster Jonathan Afolabi fired the rebounded shot home.

After giving their absolute all, Horn’s side were out on their feet after regular time and a further 30 minutes was always going to prove challenging.

The introduction of Bradley Barrett injected some much-needed pace into the side at the expense of Scott Gray. The youngster, who is still in search of his maiden goal, was inches away from being presented a glorious opportunity but the Dee defence halted play.

Evidently, both sides were struggling in the uneventful first half of extra-time. However, just before the interval, Ross Gray found himself smothered by Ashcroft in the box and yet again, Gavin Duncan pointed to the spot. Currie made no mistake, firing underneath Hamilton’s stretched right arm.

In a game where Horn’s men had given their all, the fairy-tale story was promptly coming to an end.

Making amends from his mishap for the Rose penalty, Ashcroft found the Dee’s equaliser on the end of an Adam corner. The eventual winner came soon after. The Mark Weir masterclass produced one final show, denying Mullen from close range with a strong parry, however, it fell right in the path of Sow, who could not miss and sent Dundee ahead for the first time in the game.

Horne attempted to conjure up some magic and Barrett dragged his shot from an acute angle with the last kick of the game.

It was a sterling effort at Dens from Robbie Horn’s side who should continue to reap in the praise as they performed and produced man-to-man against a top Championship side.

Bonnyrigg Rose’s attention now turns to arguably their toughest league fixture, which takes place on Tuesday evening. They travel to New Central Park to face Lowland League Champions and current leaders, Kelty Hearts in a mouth-watering match.

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