Burgh Deliver Shock Win

Musselburgh delivered a telling blow to Bonnyrigg's hopes of retaining their Super League crown tonight. The East Lothian side were first to every ball and competed tenaciously all over the park and deserved their victory over a tired looking Rose side, who showed little of their usual spark and attacking flair and were devoid of midfield creativity. 

This was a must win encounter for both sides but for very different reasons. Bonnyrigg are still in with a chance of retaining their McBookie.com East Super League title, but must win their games in hand to gain parity with runaway leaders Kelty Hearts. At the other end of the table Musselburgh sit in the play off place. They need every point they can muster, and with second bottom Linlithgow Rose playing already relegated Fauldhouse United tonight, they are in obvious danger of slipping even further unless they get something from this fixture. Musselburgh did pick up a point against Linlithgow Rose on Saturday, while Bonnyrigg were in winning Cup action in Angus, against Carnoustie Panmure. 

The home side were quickly on the attack in front of a large crowd, on a bitterly cold evening. They won an early free kick,  which Donaldson just drifted over at Renton's far post. Minutes later the same player hit another free kick straight into the defensive wall. 

Musselburgh were nearly gifted the lead after 12 minutes when Donaldson almost steered the ball past his his own goalkeeper in an attempt to clear. A minute later King brought out a good stop from Andrews in Rose's goal, after Brett had let a through ball go. 

Burgh were playing well and looking dangerous and Murray and King combined well on the Quarter hour before the ball was cleared for a corner. 

After 19 minutes, Rose's Jamieson had an effort blocked but in their next attack the same player missed a great chance. Gray shot from the edge of the area and the ball came back off the post to the striker. He looked certain to score but sent the ball across the face of the goal. 

Burgh's Lynch then sent a free kick over before Donaldson did the same from a free kick at the other end. 

The visitors were certainly not looking like a side at the wrong end of the table and Rose's midfield were struggling to get control and influence the game. 

Just after the half hour Rose had a chance but Jamieson's cross went beyond McGachie who'd made a run to the near post. 

O'Kane then put in a dangerous cross for Burgh, but the ball was cleared by the Rose defence. 

With half time approaching Musselburgh took the lead with a screamer of a goal. Andrews cleared an awkward pass back, but when the ball fell to MURRAY, the Rose defence stood off him and he fired a terrific shot into the postage stamp corner from 30 yards -  no goalkeeper would have saved it such was the quality of the strike. It was fair to say it was no more than the visitor's deserved as they had taken the game to Rose. 

Half Time  Bonnyrigg Rose 0;  Musselburgh Athletic1

Neither side made any changes at the break, but after 47 minutes Rose's captain Stewart was forced off with an injury and Nelson replaced him. 

Musselburgh continued where they had left off and McManus headed a corner wide after 48 minutes. 

A minute later, King had a shot turned for a corner.  O'Kanes kick allowed Murray a shot at goal,  but his effort was blocked. 

Rose's next effort was a shot from Gray which didn't trouble Renton. 

After 52 minutes, Brett was robbed by Moffat but Andrews made a terrific save when a goal looked certain. 

After 56 minutes, Burgh's Thomson played a great ball to King but his effort struck the post. However a second goal was only delayed. King glanced a through ball to MURRAY, who ran in on Andrews before sliding the ball past him for his second of the evening. 

Rose immediately replaced Jamieson with McIntosh. However, it was to prove a an unfortunate decision, because before the striker had touched the ball he received a straight red for an over the top tackle on a Burgh defender. Two goals down and down to ten men,  Rose had a mountain to climb if they were to get anything from the game. 

However, the dismissal seemed to spur the home side on, and as the visitor's tired Rose enjoyed their best spell of the game,  although they lacked the ability to create clear cut chances. 

Musselburgh introduced fresh legs in Donaldson for Moffat - who'd been booked and Ralton for Thomson. 

After 79 minutes Gray fired high and wide after a good run but Rose were looking more dangerous and after 81 minutes they scored. Brett put over a cross from the right and MCGACHIE flicked a header past Renton into the far corner - the goal was Rose's 700th in the Super League. The home team saw a way back into the game and pushed forward. 

After 85 minutes they nearly equalised. Gray send the ball across goal and when it came back to Nelson, he chipped the ball but it carried onto the crossbar. 

At the other end, King forced another fine save from Andrews when he looked certain to score

Rose's Donaldson was then forced off with what looked like a chest injury and he was replaced by Orru. 

With the game deep into added time and Rose pushing forward, Murphy forced Andrews into yet another great stop - the big keeper had kept his side in with a chance all night. 

That was the last action, much to the visiting supporters relief. 

This was a vital win for Burgh who go 13th in the table now, one step above the play off places. However, as Linlithgow won as well tonight, it's very tight at the foot of the table. With Musselburgh still to face both Linlithgow Rose and Jeanfield Swifts, who both sit below them in the table, It seems likely that their fate will not be decided until their last game. They were well served all round tonight and it was a great team effort with Murray providing the goals. It will give them confidence as they entertain Broughty Athletic on Saturday.  

While Rose still have a chance of retaining the title, this result was a blow and they must regroup before facing Penicuik Athletic on Wednesday night and Jeanfield on Saturday. On a night where they were far from their best, Andrews was their star man. 

Full Time  Bonnyrigg Rose  1;  Musselburgh Athletic  2 

Bonnyrigg Rose

Andrews, Brett, Donaldson, Young, Moyes, Stewart, Jamieson, Turner, Gray, Horne  Subs Horne, Nelson, Orru, McIntosh, Kidd and Archibald

Musselburgh Athletic 
Renton,McManus Lynch, Hogg, O'Kane, Murphy, Cherrie, Murray, King,Moffat and Thomson. Subs Dunn, Donaldson, Gillan, Ralton and Adams 

Referee Daniel Graves

Assistants Greig Haynes and Sean Anderson 

Gordon Baird

Neutral Reporter