■Bonnyrigg keeper Robbie Dickson produces an outstanding save to deny Kerse a late equaliser

Bonnyrigg Rose made it a cup double for the Midlothian club when their U14 side followed up the U19's victory yesterday with a hard fought 3-2 win over Kerse Juveniles.

Rose made heavy weather of a game they probably should have won more easily and it was Kerse who piled on the pressure towards the end to almost force additional time.

The weather didn't contribute to the chances of much football being played and with the wind picking up in the second half things didn't get any easier. But it was Bonnyrigg Rose that held on to deservedly win this match and some well earned reward for a terrific season that has seen them end up as runners up on several occasions in cup and league.

The rain was lashing down on an increasingly wet and soggy Hallhill as the players took to the pitch for the delayed kick off. Bonnyrigg have looked a big side this season in the South East leagues but Kerse towered above even them as the players lined up to exchange their best wishes ahead of kick off.

But it was the Midlothian side that were quickest out of the blocks and they should have been ahead within seconds of the start when Ryan Somerville bore in on goal only to shoot into the side netting. He had another chance a minute later. This time, with options to square, he opted to shoot and Kerse's Ryan Cherrie saved well with his legs.

Bonnyrigg had started explosively, and with great intent, but Kerse begun to claw their way into the game after a nervy start and almost opened the scoring on 18 minutes when good interplay on the edge of the box released Kieran Anderson. Rose number one, Robbie Dickson, was out quickly however to save at the striker's feet.

On 20 minutes, Bonnyrigg took a deserved lead. The ball was played through the middle for Ryan Somerville to latch onto. One of the Kerse defenders tried to block but the ball was only deflected off his legs and into the bottom corner of the net.

Kerse almost replied immediately when Jordan Wright headed a well taken corner onto the roof of the net. But it was Bonnyrigg that were the more incisive and on 25 minutes they went two ahead. A poor clearance by Ryan Cherrie fell into the middle of his own half. It was played back goalwards for Lee Brown to steer the ball into the back of the net.

Although Bonnyrigg looked comfortable Kerse were by no means out of this game. Playing some good football they continued to threaten and they almost snatched a priceless goal back on 33 minutes when the dangerous and lively Kieran Anderson was again thwarted by Robbie Dickson as he bore down on goal.

Half Time 2-0

Kerse returned to the pitch determined to get themselves back into this game and within minutes of the restart they did just that. A corner on the right wasn't cleared properly and the ball fell to the feet of Matthew Cooper who lashed the ball high into the net giving Robbie Dickson no chance.

The West Lothian side were suddenly right back in the match but having worked so hard to do so they squandered it almost immediately. Some slack defending gave Lee Brown all the incentive he needed to take hold of the ball, round the keeper and slot the ball home despite the best efforts of the recovering Kerse defence.

Bonnyrigg had another opportunity 5 minutes later when Chris McCartney flashed a header past the post from a corner.

With 18 minutes remaining Kerse got a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty for some shirt tugging in the box. Peter McMenemy stepped up to smash the ball down the centre of the goal where Dickson got a hand to the ball but couldn't divert it away, such was the power of the shot.

This game was back on a knife edge and you sensed extra time could be on the cards. Kerse almost proved us right when they carved another opening with the clock ticking down. A stramash ensued with Alan Swords looking certain to score when he lashed the loose ball goalwards. But Robbie Dickson produced a magnificent save when he threw himself at the ball and blocked what looked like a certain goal.

Kerse continued to push and probe for an equaliser but Bonnyrigg held out to lift the cup amid relieved celebrations.