Penicuik went into this vital league match without last week’s goal scorer Graeme Cole so the speedy Ross Montgomery was paired up front with top goalscorer Martin Cameron. Dean Jones was recalled out wide after missing the Musselburgh match because of a car accident.

Faced with an ice cold blustery wind Penicuik struggled to contain their slick passing visitors who belied their bottom of the league spot. Ross Morrison was prominent with his probing play and Rosyth passed their way out of defence at every opportunity with Jordan Laird excelling.

Visiting keeper Nelson saved bravely at Cameron’s feet but it was Bald in the home goal who pulled off the best save of the day. Penicuik’s defence was posted missing as Ross Morrison shot from the edge of the penalty area but Bald knocked the powerful shot out for a corner low down with his left hand. The off side whistle against Craig Morrison and Dean Ogg spoiled Rosyth’s next moves as Penicuik struggled.

On the fifteen minute mark, Gay shot high over from a Cameron downward header. A minute later, Nelson had to dive low to cut out a dangerous Cameron cross before a good passing move between Munro, Milne, Barr and Cameron resulted in a fruitless corner. Bald had to look sharp on a couple of occasions as he came out of his area as Rosyth tried to find a way through.

In the twenty seventh minute Vinter was booked for kicking the ball away and subsequent dissent after he was penalised. Two minutes later, the visitors took the lead. With Penicuik’s defence again spread eagled Salton’s blocking tackle on Haddow resulted in a penalty kick which was converted by CRAIG MORRISON. Penicuik’s reply was not convincing as Cameron shot weakly past the post. Dean Ogg came close in the thirty seventh minute when he volleyed a weak Kenny Munro clearance just over the bar.

With five minutes to go to the break, Watt scorned a great chance when clean through as his shot passed round the wrong side of the post with Bald stranded. Penicuik were relieved to reach half time without conceding further. Cowan had been prominent in Penicuik’s defence in the midst of some poor play while Laird and Ross Morrison backed up by Haddow had been quite outstanding for the visitors.

Half Time: Penicuik Athletic 0  Rosyth 1

Gary Small replaced Chris Gordon who was struggling with a virus at the start of the second half. Penicuik almost scored right away when Milne and Gay combined down the right. Cameron looked sure to score when Gay’s cross came over but the danger was cleared with Cameron claiming a hand had been used to deflect the ball out of his path.

Rosyth threatened but a Gratton left foot volley cleared the cross bar. Penicuik were now applying the pressure and Nelson distinguished himself saving at Montgomery’s feet after a Cameron knock down had put him through. A Dean Jones shot was deflected past by Nelson and he looked beaten when Gay’s corner kick came over. However, Montgomery’s shot hit the goal keeper who did not know a lot about it. Haddow was the second Rosyth player to be yellow carded quickly followed by Ogg who kicked the ball away after being pulled up for off side in a quick break.

Haddow shot wide for Rosyth before Penicuik finally made the break through in the sixty fifth minute. Milne found Barr in space twenty yards from goal and when his volley came back off the cross bar the alert CAMERON headed home past Nelson who managed to get a hand to the ball but could not prevent it ending up in the net. Mark Morrison was booked for protesting that Cameron had pushed Vinter earlier in the move.

Gary Small was the first Penicuik player to be booked following a careless tackle in mid field. With twenty minutes remaining Foster was thrown on up front to support Cameron as Jones was replaced and Montgomery moved wide. Rosyth countered by replacing Watt with Vaughan. Penicuik were looking for another goal but Gay’s hard hit free kick from just outside the area cleared the cross bar. Gibb then replaced the tiring Barr in mid field but with twelve minutes to go it was the visitors who took the lead when DEAN OGG slipped the ball under the diving Billy Bald.

Penicuik rolled their sleeves up and came back at Rosyth. With nine minutes left a long ball out of defence was sliced for a corner by Vinter and when Gay’s corner came over MARK COWAN was on hand to head home the equaliser at the back post. Craig Morrison was the fifth Rosyth player to find his way into Mr Banks book. Four minutes later Penicuik came up with the winner with yet another headed goal. Bald’s long kick out of defence saw Cameron running clear but Nelson pulled off a great save diverting Cameron’s lob for a corner. When Gay’s corner kick came over BRIAN FOSTER headed home from just under the cross bar.

Tanner replaced Reid but Penicuik almost added to their tally. Cameron’s claims for a penalty were turned down as he claimed to have been pushed in the back. The final whistle went with no addition to the scoring. Penicuik may have left it late but the three points were vital if Penicuik were to improve their league position.