Vale of Leithen 0

Bonnyrigg Rose 2

David Knox

at Victoria Park

FURIOUS Vale manager Chris Anderson hit out at the officials following his side’s valiant display against title-chasing Bonnyrigg.

Although the Innerleithen team had been under the cosh for much of the rain-soaked 90 minutes it was indecision from the referee and his assistants which led to Anderson’s players eventually conceding.

And there was further confusion with the last-minute second goal as it initially appeared that a penalty had been awarded.

Anderson told us: “I don’t think either team knew what some of the decisions were for today.

“I thought we played really well when you consider how many players were missing and we stuck to our game plan, but it was the things out of our control that cost us.

“My players should be proud of their effort today but we need to do it all again next week and the week after, and hopefully our efforts will start to earn us points.”

Bonnyrigg have already established themselves as credible title contenders with an impressive opening first few months in the Lowland League.

But time and time again the muddy conditions and committed Vale defending prevented them turning possession into goals during the first half.

Lewis Hall and Michael Robertson both produced eye-catching workmanlike performances in the middle to frustrate the visitors.

And the central defensive duo of Ally Smith and Alex Imlah faced up well to the normally lethal Rose attack.

Ross Gilpin did make a couple of decent saves – both times from Ross Gray – to keep the game goalless during the opening 45 minutes.

And when Ewan Moyes did deflect a freekick into the net in the 39th minute, the linesman’s flag came to Vale’s rescue.

It looked like Rose’s frustrating afternoon was going to continue in the second half as they were on the wrong end of two extremely tight offside decisions in the 10 minutes after the interval.

But in the 56th minute, despite the linesman’s flag going up again, a cross was delivered in from the left for George Hunter to head home unchallenged from 12 yards.

The initial confusion eventually led to celebrations for the large Bonnyrigg support – and a few protests from the Vale players.

Vale did rally to an extent with Brad Rixon joining Anderson in the front line.

Although they did enjoy more possession and forced Rose’s defence into a few clearances, Mark Weir’s goal was never really troubled.

Both Kieran McGachie and Alan Horne should have wrapped up the points for Bonnyrigg as they missed from close range.

But, with Vale assistant John Brogan screaming for his players to push forward and gamble for an equaliser, the home team were caught with a last-minute counter.

Again confusion reigned as Rose’s Dean Brett clashed with a defender inside the area, with the referee blowing his whistle before a shot was fired past Gilpin.

Rose fans were protesting as they thought the foul was called against their player, while Vale were contesting what they believed was a penalty decision – bizarrely the goal was allowed to stand.

Bonnyrigg boss Robbie Horn said: “The decisions were going against us as well today – in the end I’m just happy to be leaving with the three points as it was a difficult afternoon in lots of ways.”

Vale of Leithen. R Gilpin, R Higgins, A Imlah, A Smith, B Rixon, L Hall, M Robertson, L Smith, C Anderson, C O’Neil (R Dent 10) & C Hall.