East Fife returned to New Dundas Park to take on bottom of the league Bonnyrigg Rose for the fourth and final time this season. East Fife have had a mixed bag of results against the Rosey Posey this season, win one win (4-1 at Bonnyrigg in October), one loss (3-0 at Bayview in August) and one draw (0-0 at Bayview in December). Last weekend the Fifers grabbed a massive three points late on against playoff rivals Stenhousemuir as Scott Shepherd snatched an 81st minute winner to clinch a 2-1 win for the Methil men.
Two changes were made to the team that beat the Warriors at Ochilview as Connor McManus made his return to the starting after a very long injury spell along with Stewart Murdoch, with Jacky Healy dropping to the bench and Jonathan Page missing out through illness.
The first chance of the first half came to Bonnyrigg in the 26th minute when Doan’s throw finds Faye inside the penalty area who, on the spin, forces Fleming into a good save. From the resulting corner, Currie found the head of Connolly, but his effort was over the bar.
In the 37th minute, Faye attempted to go for a spectacular long-range effort when he took advantage of a poor clearance, but his effort is narrowly over the bar.
With five minutes remaining of the first half, Bonnyrigg had a chance to go 1-0 up at the break when a corner was whipped into the front post and flicked on to Gray who’s volley was kept out by a wonderful diving from Fleming.
HALF TIME: East Fife 0-0 Bonnyrigg Rose
Early on in the second half, East Fife had their first good chance of the game when good play between McManus and Schiavone saw the ball played out to Walls who’s cross found the head of Shepherd, but he couldn’t direct his header towards goal.
In the 57th minute East Fife took the lead when a long throw from Steele was only partially cleared into the pathway of Trouten who’s curled volley is blocked only for Ferguson to pick up the loose ball and feed it back to Trouten who takes a few touches past the stagnant Rose defenders and rifles it into the top corner from close range.
Only three minutes after the Fifers taking the lead Bonnyrigg nearly scored a quick-fire equaliser. Doan, on the right by-line, picks out McGachie who forces Fleming to turn his effort behind for a corner.
Bonnyrigg scored a deserved equalised in the 75th minute after a good chunk of pressure when Currie’s corner was turned in by Connelly from close range.
FULL TIME: East Fife 1-1 Bonnyrigg Rose
With the Fifers picking up a point they drew level with 3rd placed Annan Athletic with Stenhousemuir just two points behind and Forfar Athletic a point further back. Next up is a Friday night fixture against Elgin City under the lights at Bayview.
Bonnyrigg Rose Team: Martin, Young, Horne, Grigor, Brett, Currie, Gray (Arnott 86’), Doan (Murray 67’), Connolly, Faye (McGachie 55’), Mitchell (Rodden 67’)
East Fife Team: Fleming, Murdoch, Steele, Newton, Denham, McManus, Trouten, Walls, Ferguson, Schiavone (Young 88’), Shepherd (Denholm 80’)
Referee: Daniel Graves
Attendance: 948
Report by Andrew Laing