Our one week of summer is well and truly gone, there were no short-sleeves on show in the stands at Dumbarton on Tuesday night. Bobble hats back out.

Bobbling too was the ball on the surface at The Rock. In the early exchanges, neither side were able to slip into their signature, smooth style of play, an open affair as the rain began to drizzle.

Prior to the action, the hosts welcomed the Lowland League champions to the field with a guard of honour - a classy touch, recognising the stellar season their opponents have had.

Rangers B do however, remain one of only three sides to defeat the Rose in this league campaign and reminders of why that happened were on show from the off.

Arron Lyall’s burst of pace pulled him into space on the edge of the box on numerous occasions, however the accuracy of his end-ball product was not as exquisite.

Robbie Ure, who netted against Rose at New Dundas Park, was a threat with the ball at his feet. Albeit in tight scenarios, he was marshalled expertly well by Alan Horne.

Up the other end, the blossoming, powerful partnership of Sean Brown and George Hunter was in full swing. Their link-up play from Mark Weir’s long balls was of strength, with the pair’s awareness a crucial asset.

Dean Brett, tasked with matching the pace of Lyall, tested his opposite man in Rose attacks, too. The right-back sent Hunter prowling down the flank with enticing passes multiple times.

An end-to-end encounter slowly started to weigh in the favour of the Young Gers as Weir was called into action. Lyall sliced an effort across the face of goal, which was headed for the far top corner, until Weir got his fingertips to force a corner.

The breakthrough did come eventually for the hosts. Robbie Fraser played tantalising balls all evening, on this occasion a tricky ball made it’s way into the box. Neil Martyniuk committed to playing a pass into the path of his goalkeeper, however a bit of miscommunication proved costly as Weir was far advanced from the pass, with the defender left watching his effort trickle into his own net.

Rose failed to truly test Lewis Budinauckas before the interval. Bradley Barrett’s low drive from distance forced the ‘keeper into a comfortable hold.

The story of the second-half was a much more positive tale for Robbie Horn’s champions. Scott Gray - who switched between playing behind the two strikers and on the left of a front three - broke through the line of defence and faced Budinauckas, but the Rangers B goalkeeper anticipated the charge well and won the race to smother.

Brett, who was relentless for the entirety of the match, drove into the Young Gers box, where before feeding through his pass, was fouled and awarded a penalty.

It was far from the ideal start to Martyniuk’s 150th appearance, but he had the opportunity to right his earlier wrong. With a composed head, he nestled his spot-kick into the left-hand corner.

Once back on level turns, only one side continued to grow in confidence - the champions. Callum Connolly towered in the midfield and stepped in to begin the press from the Rose pack.

The high press suited Rose and a quick, clever through in from the right, into the path of Brown presented a glorious opportunity. The striker used his strength and skill to carve an opening and sneak his strike in at Budinauckas’ near post.

Fresh legs were injected to maintain the intensity as Rose took the leg. Tireless shifts from Brown, Scott Gray and Hunter came to an end as they were replaced by Nathan Evans, Ross Gray and Kieran Hall.

The experience of Bonnyrigg Rose prevailed in seeing out a tough test against the full-time Young Gers.

In the dying minutes, Tony Weston had his solo sighting at goal as a ricochet fell into his path. However in his one-vs-one with Weir, the Rose stopper came out on top to deny Weston the opportunity to add to his 21-goal league tally.

Back to winning ways for Horn’s side in the league, albeit attention swiftly turns away to the South Challenge Cup. Rose face fellow Lowland League outfit, Bo'ness United at NDP on Saturday in the quarter-finals.

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