Better late than never, eh? The Bonnyrigg Rose team bus, along with at least one-half of Glasgow, were caught up in the traffic along the M8, pushing back kick-off. Apparently, this wasn’t the biggest match west of Harthill?

Eventually kicking-off at 8:15, Laurie Ellis’ side charged right from the whistle. Grant Gillespie drove a long-ranged effort across the deck, prompting Mikey Andrews into a save on his left-hand side.

The visitors created their first opportunity within 5 minutes. Callum Connolly found acres of space down the right and fired a ball across to Dean Hoskins, but the pace in it meant the defender couldn’t keep his shot down.

Chances continued to fall at both ends. Michael Doyle delivered a terrific ball across the face of goal, but Bob McHugh failed to latch on with any conviction. Soon after – with Kerr Young down injured – Gillespie pinged a shot from more than 20 yards, which sizzled off the crossbar.

Neither side produced a clear-cut chance in an open half. Undoubtedly, Robbie Horn would’ve been the happier of the two managers at the interval.

It was a rapid start from the Spiders at the restart. Alan Horne was left alone amid a two-on-one. The ball from the left was inch-perfect, but Darren Lyon was already on the deck following a slip. He got back up quick enough to latch onto the second ball as his shot bounced off the crossbar.

It all went rather flat at Firhill after that. Horn was forced to turn to his bench as Neil Martyniuk appeared to be struggling. Bob Wilson was his replacement.

It looked as though Bradley Barrett was going to replace Dean Hoskins soon after, but The Granton Goose remained on the pitch… and thank goodness he did.

Right on the hour mark, Connolly found himself with a bit of time to chip an exquisite ball to the back post. Migrating in down the left, was Hoskins, who for the second match running, thunderously headed the ball into the back of the net.

Expectedly, the hosts hounded Andrews’ box in search of a quick equaliser. The Rose ‘keeper was put under increased pressure, but nothing too strenuous. In the midst of Queen’s dominance, Bradley Barrett replaced the goalscorer.

There were strong calls for a Rose penalty 10 minutes after. Ross Gray appeared to be shoved in his stride within the box. The referee waved play-on and moments later, the hosts had their own penalty.

In an attempt to swipe the ball away, Wilson instead caught Morrison right on the edge of the box. Gillespie, who was arguably the Spiders’ best player on the night, stepped up and slotted past Andrews with force.

Again, Horn turned to his bench, granting Nathan Evans his debut in place of Ross Gray. Lewis Turner also came on in place of Callum Connolly.

The debutant looked hungry in the search of his maiden Rose goal, using his pace and power to trouble the Queen’s Park defence.

It was his partner George Hunter, however, who looked to have sealed an emphatic win for the Lowland League side. Deep into additional time, Hunter found himself one-on-one with Muir. Opting to round the ‘keeper, he got forced out too wide down the left and allowed the Spiders number one to scramble back.

That was to be the final chance of the match – penalties loomed.

To no surprise, Currie slotted home the first and undoubtedly calmed nerves, briefly. With his second of the night, Gillespie got the better of Andrews again.

Evans took the second in a courageous and correct decision to go ahead again, before Longridge equalised.

In search of the top corner, Young saw his effort rocket over the bar. McHugh followed suit and watched his shoot into the sky.

Substitute Turner restored composure with a cool finish, as did his counterpart, Robson.

Hunter’s strike piled the pressure on former Hibee, Simon Murray, but the experienced striker wasn’t fazed.

There had to be a costly slip-up somewhere along the road and on this occasion, it fell at the feet of Scott Gray. Muir pulled out a strong save to deny Gray and leave it all to Captain Doyle. Sealing the win in style, Andrews was left helpless.

A valiant effort from the Lowland League side against their League 1 opponents. Yet another shining example of the talent Robbie Horn has at his disposal.

Attention returns to the league, as Edinburgh Uni visit New Dundas Park on Saturday.

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