Rose’s title bid is no Stroll

BONNYRIGG ROSE’S title challenge suffered a second successive setback when they were held to a draw by Civil Service Strollers.

They closed the gap on leaders Kelty Hearts to five points but both clubs have now played 24 games, with six to go including another mouthwatering showdown between the two.

Strollers took the game to Rose, who lost 3-2 at Kelty last weekend, in the first 45 minutes. Midway through the half Craig Newall hit a great shot from the edge of the box which sailed into the net.

After the interval Bonnyrigg threw everything into it and with 20 minutes left the ball came into the Strollers’ box and Jonathan Brown blasted home the equaliser.

In the last minute Mark McConnell got the ball in the net for Strollers but it was chalked off.

Delighted Strollers boss Gary Jardine was full of praise for his side and said: “The boys played really well against Rose because they’re a big, powerful side and they score goals from all over.

“After a couple of bad defeats we played really well against one of the top teams.

“After we went ahead in the first half we expected an onslaught in the second half but we weathered the storm and defended really well.

“They equalised and we thought we had won it in the last minute when we had the ball in the net.

“The ref gave the goal and as we were celebrating the linesman put his flag up 10 seconds later. But before the game we would have taken a point although a win has been snatched away at the end.

“Probably a draw was a fair result.”

There were angry scenes at Innerleithen where the referee called the game off with both teams ready after Dalbeattie Star travelled the 65 miles for the basement battle with Vale of Leithen.

He declared it waterlogged but the Vale officials claimed there was no water on the pitch and both teams wanted to play.