Sun shining, dog tails wagging, and one of the most charming grounds the Rose have had the pleasure of visiting in the last few seasons - it was a great day for some cup football at Dunterlie Park.

Arthurlie’s striking sky blue and white stripes looked splendid in the Lanarkshire sun, and it was the hosts who enjoyed the first real chance of the game.

Tam McGauchey picked up the scraps from a hastily cleared corner from 25-yards-out, unleashing a beautiful curling effort that dropped just inches wide of the far post.

Minutes later, Lewis Turner had the ball in the back of the net after near link-up play with Keiran McGachie, but the midfielder was quickly flagged offside by the official.

The game’s frantic start only intensified after Bob Wilson was adjudged to have brought McGauchey down in the box, going in the referee’s book for his troubles.

Up stepped skipper Gary Carroll for the undefeated league leaders, hoping to add to his 25 goals in all competitions this season. Mark Weir had other ideas, blasting the striker’s powerful spot kick away with his sprawling legs.

Missed headers followed for both sides. First, Kerr Young got ahead of his man at a corner, failing to direct his chance on target. Then, Gary Smith glanced his effort across goal as Weir watched the ball drop past his post.

Rose could have easily been a goal down because of a penalty, but on 33 minutes, they found a goal to the good from the spot themselves.

After Young was tripped in the area, and with any of the side’s typical penalty takers not on the bitch, it was Turner who placed the ball down on the bumpy surface.

This time, “powerful” would be an understatement, as the midfielder’s strike crashed off the underside of the bar and then into the roof of the net to give the visitors the lead.

As the half was winding to a close, McGauchey again found himself with sight of goal, on this occasion through a gorgeous crossfield pass that took out the Rose backline. For the winger, the angle kept getting narrower, allowing Weir to save with his feet and keep Bonnyrigg ahead at the break.

The second period was an even scrappier affair than the first, with clear cut chances few and far between as both sides battled hard to impress the healthy crowd scattered around the Dunterlie Park terraces.

Just after hour mark, another long ball released McGauchey again. Assessing his options, the Arthurlie number 11 ended up with a cross-cum-shot across the face of goal which elluded everyone in the box.

Rose’s only real chance of the second half came moments later, as Kieran Hall suddenly found himself through on goal. The striker poked his effort goalward, seemingly rolling for at eternity before somehow shaving the wrong side of the post, much to the disbelief of the travelling Rose support.

With the clock ticking down towards full-time, and with their cup progress at stake, it was time for Bonnyrigg bodies to go the line. Arthurlie gave it their all, but a crucial Alan Horne block on the 90th minute summed up the resolve that earned Rose their hard-earned victory.

Either Dundonald Bluebell or Tranent Juniors await Robbie Horn’s men in the South Challenge Cup Fifth Round. Before that, there’s the small matter of a trip to Berwick Rangers on Saturday, and the chance to secure the Lowland League title.

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