Forfar Athletic 1 Bonnyrigg Rose 2

Forfar’s search for a first ever win over Bonnyrigg continues after the Rose triumphed at Station Park.

The Loons were boosted by the return of Callum Moore and Roberto Nditi to the starting line up but it was the visitors who started quickly, Alieu Faye flicking a shot just wide with the first move of the game.

The Rose were on top and notched themselves in front in the 13th minute. A defensive mix up allowed Faye to nip in and Matty Allan was adjudged to have pulled him down before he could shoot. Neil Martyniuk dispatched the penalty.

The goal awoke the hosts and Inglis sting the palms of Paddy Martin on a couple of occasions.

The visitors were lucky to keep a full compliment of players in the 21st minute. Euan Mutale drove towards goal and beat his man but was creatively hacked down right on the edge. The referee opted for yellow and Inglis blasted the close range free kick over the bar.

An injury for the Loons prompted a reshuffle as Matty Allan made way for Craig Thomson.

Mutale was again Forfar’s main threat and came so close to his first goal in blue when he broke forward and drove a shot from the edge of the box through a diving Paddy Martin but the stopper recovered just in time to claw the ball off the line.

The Loons can’t seem to catch a break fitness wise and Craig Thomson’s afternoon didn’t last long as he pulled up just before half time and was replaced by new signing Cameron Ferguson.

The Athies improved at the start of the second period and caused problems early doors, Mutale volleyed over after Seb Ross did well on the wing.

Forfar did pull themselves level after 64 minutes. Stuart Morrison rose highest in the box to plant a looping header over Martin and in to the back of the net from Kieran Inglis delivery.

The scoreboard’s weren’t level for long and just a minute later the Rose were back in front. Danger man Faye beat the offside trap and latched onto a long ball before skinning McCallum and tapping in to the empty net.

The concession was a bitter blow for the Loons who had just pulled themselves level and things would get worse five minutes later when Finn Robson was harshly given a second yellow card for only his second foul.

The hosts endeavoured to find an equaliser but the ten men couldn’t break down a stubborn opposition defence and were consigned to a second straight defeat.

The Loons must dust themselves down for a trip to Hamilton to play 10th placed Clyde next week, hoping to finally get their league season up and running with a win.