Written by Lana Mackay

A goal from Arbroath’s Gavin Reilly just three minutes before the full-time whistle left Bonnyrigg Rose despondent after a spirited display.

In a game that went down to the wire against a higher league opposition, Rose battled well but just couldn’t find a cutting edge.

It was a historic first ever meeting between the two sides to round off the last few weeks of Premier Sports Cup action.

After a pulsating penalty shootout triumph against Annan, Rose suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat away to Inverness last time out, ending their hopes of progressing to the next round of the cup.

Eager to finish the competition on a high, the game would provide Rose with a final chance to get valuable minutes into legs before switching focus to the league.

The visitors came to New Dundas Park desperate to clinch their first win in 90 minutes since March, although they had claimed a bonus point at Inverness by winning the penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw.

Rose boss Calum Elliot named four changes to his starting lineup: Bradley Rodden, Josh Grigor, Smart Osadolor and Scott Mercer were replaced by Kallum Higginbotham, Dean Watson, Angus Mailer and captain Kerr Young.

Jim McIntyre made five adjustments to his Arbroath side: Aidan McAdams replaced Robbie Hemfrey in goal, with Aaron Steele, Mark Stowe, Gordon Walker and Quinn Coulson also coming in.

Rose created several promising opportunities in the first half but just struggled to find the final ball. The best chance fell to Aaron Arnott around the quarter hour mark; Sean Murphy did well to hold off his defender and slipped a sweet pass into the box for Arnott, but his shot was tipped onto the crossbar by Arbroath keeper Aidan McAdams.

A flurry of half-chances followed. Around ten minutes before half time, Kallum Higginbotham played a lovely ball over the top for Arnott to backheel into Dean Watson’s path, but the 23-year-old dragged his shot wide from just outside the area.

Neither side was able to find a breakthrough in what was a fairly even first 45.

Arbroath had a couple of chances early in the second half, with Innes Murray firing a low shot into the side netting, before Rose keeper Ritchie did well to keep out Jack Wilkie’s powerful drive.

Ben Scarborough, who replaced Bradley Barrett after an hour, was involved in some promising attacking play from Rose. Managing to get in behind his man, the former Luncarty FC midfielder rifled the ball towards the near post, but it was deflected out for a corner. Ten minutes later, his powerful left-footed effort forced McAdams into a good save, tipping his shot over the crossbar.

Rose were playing well, but with just three minutes to go, Gavin Reilly drilled an emphatic left-footed shot into the bottom corner from outside the box, leaving New Dundas Park stunned.

A bitterly disappointing way to finish, but manager Calum Elliot will be proud of the boys’ efforts in holding their own against a tough League 1 opposition, with lots of positives to take into next weekend’s first league game against Peterhead.