Weakened students loseincup

STIRLING UNIVERSITY ...... 0 BONNYRIGG ROSE ............. 4

Stirling University are out of the Football Nation Qualifying Cup after losing 4-0 to high-flying Bonnyrigg Rose on Tuesday night.

The students – suffering from a number of injuries and suspensions – struggled to get a foothold in the second round encounter but it was only two late goals which finally killed off their chances.

The Midlothian side took the lead on 17 minutes when Ross Gray and Hunter linked up before playing in Lee Currie, who guided a left-footed shot into the far bottom corner, beyond Andy Downie in the Stirling goal.

Downie pulled off further good saves from Jonathan Brown and then Hunter, before shouts for a Stirling penalty following a tackle on Calum Heath were waved away by the referee.

After going in 1-0 down, Stirling began the second half with a spell of possession but it was the visitors who doubled their advantage on 52 minutes when Brown crossed for Hunter to head home from close range.

Thomas Cowley had the University’s best chance of the game on 68 minutes when he jinked the ball over the head of a Bonnyrigg defender before volleying over the bar.

Downie pulled off a number of further good saves to deny Bonnyrigg but was unable to keep out the third from Docherty on 80 minutes and then the fourth on 89 as Hunter added his second.

The University will return to Lowland League action on Sunday when they take on East Stirlingshire at Forthbank. Kick-off is 3pm.