Bonnyrigg Rose edged past Cumbernauld Colts with a hard-fought 1–0 victory at Broadwood, Callum Connolly’s second-half header proving the difference in a tight Lowland League encounter.

Colts started brightly and had a penalty appeal inside the opening two minutes waved away, with Ross Connelly spreading himself well to block and dispossess the Colts forward. The hosts enjoyed the better of the possession but were unable to test Ross Connelly between the posts.

The Rose grew into the match and came close on 17 minutes when Callum Connolly met a Billy King corner, only to see his header agonisingly blocked off the line by a teammate. The Colts responded with a volley from the edge of the area just after the half-hour mark, but it sailed harmlessly over the bar.

Chances followed at both ends as Billy King raced onto a fine ball over the top before cutting back for Kallum Higginbotham, who was frustratingly unable to get his shot away. Moments later, Cammie Ross found space in the box but his effort came off his shoulder and failed to trouble Harry Broun. The sides went in level at the break with the match finely balanced.

The second half saw the Rose increase the pressure, and Ross again went close early on, steering a well-worked corner just wide of the post. The match looked certain to finish a stalemate but breakthrough finally arrived in the 84th minute when Lee Currie’s corner was met by Callum Connolly. The makeshift defender rose highest to flick the ball in at the back post and give the Rose the lead.

The closing stages were tense. Danny Dobbie came agonisingly close to doubling the advantage on 86 minutes, with his effort crashing back off the post after a clever dribble into space. The Colts threw everything forward in stoppage time, winning a succession of corners, the final one rattling the crossbar, but the Rose defence held firm to see out the victory.

Full time: Cumbernauld Colts 0–1 Bonnyrigg Rose

Bonnyrigg Rose are back in action on Tuesday night, hosting the University of Stirling in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup.