As a result, they sit mid table with games in hand on all of the teams above, and are playing catch up.

Saturday’s game against one those teams, Langholm Legion, was therefore an important one. They passed this test well although they didn’t come through it unscathed. An injury to Ruaraidh McNaughton has added to an already depleted squad.

It was far from easy and at times looked like it might be a frustrating afternoon. Langholm went in front in the first half and, even after equalising, Tweeddale found it difficult to break them down. They kept at it though, and eventually found a way past a tiring defence to claim a deserved win.

Legion took the lead midway through the first half in fortunate circumstances. A free-kick was clipped into the box and Tiff Robertson threw his head at it. Inexplicably, the ball looped up and over the helpless Ryan Bertram. The only blot on an otherwise outstanding performance from Robertson.

With plenty of time to play their way back into it, Tweeddale continued to do the right things and press for an equaliser. The pressure had to pay off at some point.

Last week’s hat-trick hero David Lindsay was the man to level it up, with the first of a brace. His free kick had too much power for the keeper, who almost got to it.

The home side then always looked the most likely to go on and win the game, although it took them some time to go in front.

A few chances had come and gone by the time Lindsay got his second. A neat through pass by Nick Rogers sent him racing into the box and he finished low into the corner.

In keeping with the old adage, after waiting so long for the breakthrough Rovers got another soon after, making things more comfortable.

McNaughton raced on to a through pass and was cynically brought down just inside the box. The tackle was a desperate one and the wide man was in significant pain. He had to be withdrawn and looks a doubt at least in the short term.

Blair Meikle held his nerve throughout the delay and placed his penalty in the bottom right corner of the net.

With a two goal cushion, Dale were content to keep possession and try and wind down the clock.

There was still time though for a spectacular strike from Robertson. Still forward from a set play, the centre half was fed the ball in the right channel. He strode forward and unleashed an outside-of-the-boot pearler into the top corner.

Legion scored a consolation in the dying minutes. Their midfield player nicked the ball and broke forward quickly. He played in the big forward who finished with coolness.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Tweeddale play in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup, at home to Glenburn Miners Welfare (Ayrshire) with a 2pm kick off.

Any support would be greatly appreciated as they bid to reach the fifth round.

Tweeddale: Bertram, F.Moffat, Rathie, Robertson, Macleod (Kilshaw), R.Meikle, R.Moffat (Collin), Lindsay, Rogers, McNaughton (Cassidy) & B.Meikle.