Rose spot on, now in top grade
COWDENBEATH 0 BONNYRIGG R 1
(Martinuik (pen 61) (Bonnyrigg win 4-0 agg)
Cowdenbeath’s 117-year stay in the Scottish League came to an end at Central Park as Lowland League champions Rose deservedly took their place.
Bonnyrigg manager Robbie Horne was delighted with his team’s performance: “We knew it was going to be a tough game here and we had to defend well.
“It was a really cohesive show from us and now we can look forward to playing in the Scottish League next season.”
Cowden boss Maurice Ross was very disappointed, saying: “We needed an early goal, but the woodwork came to Bonnyrigg’s rescue twice and the penalty was the final blow to our hopes. Lack of goals has been our problem all season and it struck again today.”
In eight minutes, Cowdenbeath came close when Bobby Barr cut in from the left and his angled 18-yarder hit Mark Weir’s right-hand post and bounced out.
Four minutes later, Rose’s Bradley Barrett latched on to Dean Brett’s cross and his low shot flew just wide.
Rose came close in 25 minutes when Ross Gray worked space for himself 15 yards out and curled his shot just wide.
Nine minutes from the break, Cowden hit wood again when Bobby Barr’s cross was met by Sam Denham, but his shot hit the Bonnyrigg bar and stayed out.
The hosts started the second period aggressively and Craig Barr’s header from a corner was nodded on by Jamie Todd, but Alan Horne booted the ball to safety.
On 61 minutes, as Ross Gray was making his way into the home box, he was tripped by Denham and Neil Martinuik made no mistake from the spot.