There were two changes to the Rose team that started Saturday’s emphatic seven-goal rout of Edinburgh University. Bob Wilson and Scott Gray - neither of whom made the bench - were replaced by Dean Brett and Keiran McGachie.

The game got off to a dramatic start but sadly, a chaotic opening 60 seconds did not set the tone for the first half.

A floated cross toward the back post was met by Dean Hoskins in the air. Searching for his fifth goal in four games, the veteran’s header back across goal was thwarted by Shire shot-stopper Ross Connelly but the goalkeeper only managed to parry the ball out to the danger area.

Ross Gray raced onto the loose ball but was denied twice by the sea of Shire bodies standing between him and the goal. His first effort, a powerful fly kick, was blocked by his marker before his second strike was desperately headed clear off the goal line.

The next 44 minutes failed to inspire. East Stirlingshire failed to attempt a single shot on goal, while Rose laboured to break down the host’s rigid backline. The most noteworthy moments of this long spell consisted of an exciting - though, promptly blocked - volley from Hoskins, prior to a diving header from Gray which forced a fine save from an outstretched Connelly.

After a first half lacking in entertainment, the fantastic travelling Rose support were treated to a spirited second 45 filled with dubious decisions, feisty challenges and plenty squabbles. Plus, most importantly, a winning goal.

Bonnyrigg, again, were quick out of the gate as the half began. Lee Currie zipped a pass through the opposition backline for Hoskins to latch onto on the left flank. After beating his man, Hoskins fired a low cross into the mixer but McGachie’s flick-on darted wide.

Tempers began to flare and soon the hosts were soon down to ten men. Shire skipper Kieran Gibbons, already on thin ice after receiving a booking in the first half, was given his marching orders after swiping out at Alan Horne after the centre-half skipped beyond the captain.

Just shy of the hour mark, Dean Watson drifted inside in between Brett and Horne and directed the Shire’s first shot of the evening toward Mikey Andrews’ goal. Thankfully, the fierce strike from the forward was foiled by the legs of the Rose ‘keeper at the front post.

Moments later, exactly on the hour mark, the Rose took the lead. Kerr Young, after some neat interplay with Hunter, was brought down on the corner of the box. The resulting free kick, thumped by the lethal left-foot of Currie, was punched into the sky by Connelly before falling to McGachie. The brawny forward effortlessly outmuscled his marker to nod the Rose ahead from close range.

With time running out, Shire left-back Andy Rodden released a powerful strike from beyond 30 yards out. Andrews rebuffed the defender’s audacious effort with a strong parry but the Rose weren’t out of the clear yet. A nervy goalmouth scramble followed but brave defending kept Bonnyrigg’s narrow lead intact.

A long clearance from the melee sent through Hunter. As the striker bore down on goal, Rodden raced back to cynically drag him down. Currie’s ensuing free kick crashed into the wall, before Connelly soon smothered a Hunter strike to keep the game within reach for the home side with minutes remaining.

Despite not being able to secure a two-goal cushion, the Rose did hold on to secure all three points. The team will head west again on Saturday to take on Bo’ness United.

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