Bonnyrigg Snatch Point With Last Gasp Equaliser

Despite being two goals down and reduced to ten men, Bonnyrigg Rose showed their Championship credentials with a great fightback.  They thoroughly deserved a point after Young headed a ninety fifth minute equaliser.

Bonnyrigg travelled to Linlithgow tonight in the knowledge that a win would would put them thirteen points clear of their hosts with games running out. The Championship is Bonnyrigg's to lose and apart from a defeat at Bo'ness, their league form has been tremendous over the winter months. However, the hosts have a formidable home record and inflicted Bonnyrigg's only home defeat at New Dundas Park earlier in the season.

Bonnyrigg were straight on the front foot with Turner firing wide in the opening minute. In their next attack McGachie and McIntosh both had shots before the visitors forced their first corner. From the resultant kick the ball was only partially cleared and when it fell to McLaren his fine effort came off the crossbar with Adams beaten. Minutes later the visitors forced another corner and McLaren had another shooting chance.

There was fully eight minutes on the clock before the home side had a shot at goal - Kelbie shooting wide. Coyne was in evidence up front for Linlithgow and he conjured up a typical run and shot as the home side tried to get into the game. 

Just after the quarter hour, a mistake by Linlithgow's McKenzie let McIntosh in, but he wasted the shooting chance.

The game was a bit more even now but the visitors had the bulk of the possession.

After the half hour, Linlithgow's Baptie came close with a dipping effort.

After 39 minutes, Linlithgow made the break through. Batchelor made good ground on the right and when he put over his cross , KELBIE was there to head it home. A little against the run of play.

With the break approaching the half finished a bit like it had started. The dangerous Mclaren made a good run and his fine shot cannoned back off the crossbar.

Bonnyrigg looked the better side in the first forty five minutes but lacked a little poise in front of goal. However, the woodwork saved the home team twice.

Half Time Linlithgow Rose1; Bonnyrigg Rose 0

There were no changes at the break.

After 47 minutes the home side doubled their advantage. The lively BATCHELOR got free on the right and his finish gave Andrews no chance.

The game had changed completely and the referee suddenly became a busy man dishing out  out five yellow cards in fifteen minutes.

With sixty three minutes played, Bonnyrigg were dealt a serious blow when Donaldson received a straight red for a tackle on the edge of the box. Referee Scott Millar was right on hand and clearly judged the defender had denied an obvious goal scoring opportunity - although it looked harsh. From the resultant free kick Andrews did well to save as the ball came through a forest of legs.


Bonnyrigg introduced Moyes and moved Hoskins to left back and withdrew McLaren. It looked grim for the league leaders but they pushed forward and McGachie had a half chance from a corner.

After seventy one minutes, McIntosh tried a shot from range but it was a tame effort. However, a minute later the visitors were back in the game. McIntosh did brilliantly on the edge of the box and ran in on goal. Adams saved his shot well but MCGACHIE was on hand to slot home the rebound.

Bonnyrigg were energised by the goal and started to dominate pushing the home side back - although Linlithgow still carried a threat on the break - Baptie shooting just wide with a quarter of an hour left.

Bonnyrigg kept pushing forward but couldn't get the equaliser. However, with the clock showing nearly 95 minutes and darkness falling, they got a man free on the right and his cross was met by YOUNG who headed home. An amazing finish!

The draw was no less than Bonnyrigg deserved for their overall contribution to the game. Linlithgow seemed to have the points in the bag but even with the extra man couldn't kill the visitors off. Best for Bonnyrigg were Hoskins, Young and Turner but their overall team effort was tremendous. They had no failures on the night. Linlithgow will be unhappy with the added on time but they let the game slip when they should have killed the visitors off. Batchelor was best for the home side.

This is a key result in the championship race and Bonnyrigg are very much in the driving seat as the season reaches its climax .

Full Time Linlithgow Rose 2; Bonnyrigg Rose 2

Teams
Linlithgow Rose
Adams, Thom, Baptie, McKenzie, Leiper, MacLennan ,Batchelor, Shirra, Strickland, Coyne and Kelbie Subs Kelly, McGregor, Tyrell, Weir and McKinven

Bonnyrigg Rose
Andrews, Horne, Donaldson, Stewart, Young, Hoskins, McLaren, Turner, McGachie, Nelson and McIntosh Subs Moyes, Kidd, Tobin, Drummond and Brown

Referee Scott Millar, Assistants Nicky Marshall and Ken Boyd     

Gordon Baird
Neutral Reporter