A Josh Laing Brace and goals from Kallum Higginbotham and Alassan Jones swept aside Hearts B as Bonnyrigg Rose emerged as 4-0 winners at New Dundas Park.

Back in Lowland League action, Jonny Stewart made two changes to his starting lineup as Corrie Fellows replaced the unavailable Billy King. Captain Neil Martyniuk returned to action for the first time in two weeks after his head injury against Gala Fairydean Rovers.

In need of a result after last week’s defeat to Clydebank, Rose started on the front foot and won a flurry of corners.

Cammie Ross came close early on, forcing Jack Lyons to make a save after firing a left-footed effort towards the near post.

Rose broke the deadlock after twenty-seven minutes by means of a set piece. Lee Currie’s superb delivery from a free kick on the right touchline was met by Josh Laing who got across his man and slammed a header into the bottom corner for a 1-0 lead.

Neil Martyniuk was a welcome return and under his supervision the Rose back line offered Hearts very little in the way of clear chances.

Alassan Jones supplied a perfect start to the second half.

Within thirty seconds of the restart Cammie Ross held up the ball for Alassan Jones, who took one touch before curling a peach into the top left corner from 20 yards out.

With Rose two to the good, the game opened up. The Lowland League leaders began to strut their stuff and found a third goal bang on the sixty minute mark.

Cometh the hour, cometh Kal Higginbotham, who had already come close after striking the underside of the crossbar.

After a number slick passes cut through the Hearts midfield, Josh Laing swung in an inch-perfect first time cross for the midfielder to head home his sixth league goal of the campaign.

What was arguably the pick of the bunch came nine minutes after.

Higginbotham chased down a ball over the top of the Hearts defence and brilliantly flicked the ball into the path of an onrushing Josh Laing.

The Spartans loanee struck the ball first time and smashed an outrageous left-footed effort into the roof of the net for his second and Bonnyrigg Rose’s fourth.

A flurry of substitutions soon followed. Max Dowling, Gregor Nicol, Mackenzie Scott and Laurie Devine entered the fray - the latter of whom made his first appearance at NDP since a victory against Clydebank back in October.

Mackenzie Scott came close to scoring a fifth of the afternoon for Rose after a five-on-three counter attack, but was denied by Lyon’s outstretched leg.

A 4-0 win was thoroughly deserved and it secured three points to keep Bonnyrigg Rose top of the Lowland League table.

Jonny Stewart’s side now have a double header this coming week, hosting Tranent in the semi-finals of the East of Scotland Qualifying cup on Tuesday night before travelling to face Celtic B at the Excelsior stadium.