Robbie Horn: Bonnyrigg Rose deserved more than tough defeat to Lowland League title rivals Kelty Hearts

Bonnyrigg's players appeal to referee Mike Roncone during the defeat by Kelty Hearts

Bonnyrigg Rose boss Robbie Horn was adamant his team more than warranted a point for their endeavours despite a 3-2 defeat to Lowland League title-rivals Kelty Hearts.

The victory for the hosts at New Central Park stretches the Fife outfit’s lead at the top to six points, although they have played a game more. The two clubs will also meet again at New Dundas Park at the end of the month.The pre-match hype certainly lived up to expectations in front of a bumper crowd, with Nathan Austin’s first-half header proving decisive in a five-goal thriller.

Kelty flew out of the traps and were ahead in the 17th minute when Ross Philp was on hand to steer home Stephen Husband’s cutback after Mark Weir in the Rose goal had blocked the latter’s initial effort.

The visitors responded almost immediately, Lee Currie curling home a sumptuous free-kick from 25 yards, much to the delight of a strong travelling contingent behind the goal.

The action was frantic and in the 25th minute, Dylan Easton stepped inside his marker before sending an unstoppable effort into Weir’s top right-hand corner to restore Kelty’s lead.

Rose had it all to do in the second half after Michael Tidser’s inch-perfect cross was headed into the bottom corner by Austin to make it 3-1 seven minutes before the interval.

However, the Midlothian outfit gave themselves the perfect platform as George Hunter reduced the deficit ten minutes after the restart with a cool finish.

Wave after wave of attack then ensued, the Kelty crossbar struck following a stramash in the box before Kieran McGachie passed up a gilt-edged opportunity to draw Rose level. The visitors were also incensed by referee Mike Roncone’s decision not to award a penalty for handball.

“It was a game of two halves. To be honest, I don’t think they put us under the same pressure that we did in the second half,” Horn said afterwards. “It just wouldn’t break for us, we hit the bar, there were numerous blocks and the players are adamant we should have had a penalty. I couldn’t see it myself, but the reaction of the players and the supporters behind the goal says it all.

“It’s disappointing as a few decisions didn’t go our way, but Kelty were really good in the first half. There were some really good goals in the game too, so it had everything for the supporters. It was a great advert for the Lowland League.

“We’re disappointed that we lost as I felt we deserved to at least take a point, but it just wasn’t to be. There’s still plenty of football to be played, so all is not lost.”

Kelty Hearts: Mackenzie, Cennerazzo (Humphrey 75), Linton, Scobbie, Reid, Reilly, Philp, Tidser, Austin (Flynn 84), Easton, Husband. Subs: McKirdy.

Bonnyrigg Rose: Weir, Brett, Brown, Baur (R Gray 84), Moyes, Young, Currie, Horne, S Gray (Turner 69), McGachie, Hunter. Subs: Andrews, Stewart, Martyniuk, Docherty.

Referee: Mike Roncone.

Attendance: 1,510.