The Rose were eager to get an overdue victory following four frustrating league defeats on the bounce, with Annan Athletic the opponents looking to extend that harsh streak to five.

Manager Robbie Horn had multiple selection problems to deal with heading into the tie, opting to make four changes from the weekend. Neil Martyniuk remained out after picking up a knock at Cliftonhill, while Bob Wilson, Ross Gray and Keiran McGachie all dropped to bench. Taking their places were Dean Brett, Jonny Stewart, Conor Doan and George Hunter.

It was clear from the first whistle that the team were well up for the clash and after some promising play, the first real chance of the game came for Rose after 12 minutes. Annan forward Josh Galloway was dispossessed inside his own half and the ball was promptly fired into the feet of loanee Kieran Mitchell. The youngster readied himself and let fly from way out, but his fierce effort flew wide of the post.

Eight minutes later, another chance fell to Rose but perhaps to a less likely face. Centre-back Alan Horne found himself in the opposition penalty area with the ball at his feet after Callum Connolly prodded the ball into his path. The Tranent Pele wasn’t able to live up to moniker as he opened his body up well but couldn’t get enough power behind his placed shot to properly test Greg Fleming.

Annan had been getting forward in the early stages but were struggling to create clear chances. Tommy Goss, one of the most in-form forwards in Scotland at the moment, soon got on the end of a whipped Roan Steele cross but his best effort bounced well wide.

A masterclass in heading came just one minute later up the other end, courtesy of George Hunter. Our Geo grabbed his first goal of the season in style as he rose highest to meet a perfect Lee Currie cross in the air and direct it beyond Fleming.

Seeking an immediate equaliser, Lewis Hunter lashed a distant strike wide minutes later for the visitors. Not long after that chance, Jordan Lowdon picked out Goss in the mixer but the Galabankies danger man bounced header was held with ease by Mark Weir, who was seeking out his fourth clean sheet of the campaign.

The last 15 of the first 45 brought about an early enforced exit for Brett, another chance for Hunter that curled wide of the mark, and a huge handball shout after Currie’s bending effort from inside the box was blocked.

After the restart, Scott Hooper headed over after getting on the end of a floated Galloway cross into the Rose box. But the Rose were quick to show their class following that slight scare.

Superb play – starting with a Mitchell flick out wide, some nimble footwork from Scott Gray and a well-placed lay-off from Stewart – allowed Hunter to blast a fierce strike goalward. Unfortunately, the spectacular effort flew over the crossbar. Not to worry, that second goal soon came, and Geo played a huge part in it.

Excellent forward play from the midfield allowed Hunter to clip through a perfectly weighted lob through ball into the path of Mitchell, with the off-balance loanee making no mistake in slipping the ball underneath Fleming despite being under pressure from his persistent marker to grab his first Rose goal.

The attacks didn’t stop there, however. Connolly was agonisingly prevented three times in very quick succession from extending the Rose lead further. First, he was slipped in behind by Josh Grigor but a Dominic Docherty challenge blocked his close range strike. From the resulting corner, his goalbound volley was blocked by an outstretched foot. Then from yet another corner, a strong header of his was deflected clear twice by Annan defenders.

Both Hunter and Mitchell made way with several minutes remaining, earning a warm round of applause on a chilly night from the Rosey Posey faithful for their efforts and, of course, their crucial goals.

A huge result under the NDP lights sets the boys up nicely heading into this Saturday’s home clash against East Fife.

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