Robbie Horn opted to make three changes following last weekend’s narrow defeat at Forthbank, switching out Robbie McGale, Aaron Arnott and Zander Murray for Dean Brett, Ross Gray and Kieran Mitchell.

The first proper chance of the game was to be the visitors’ only real sight of goal in the opening 45. A powerful header from centre-half Aaron Steele was blocked by a Rose defender and eventually cleared to safety.

Fifers ‘keeper Allan Fleming had a solid afternoon, starting with a great low save to keep out Alieu Faye. The big man had let a Conor Doan throw run across his body in the box before lashing a fierce drive toward the near-bottom corner before seeing his effort thwarted.

Lee Currie, on his right-foot, soon dragged a shot wide of the post, before Faye then went for the spectacular minutes later. The tireless Kieran Mitchell had forced Fleming into an error, allowing Faye to pick the ball up just inside the opposition half and attempt a high lob on the half-volley. Unfortunately, the forward’s effort had just a little bit too much on it.

Rose continued to stay on top heading into half-time. A Currie corner met with an improvised high-kick from Ross Gray was parried away well by Fleming, before a powerful volley from Callum Connolly flew wide of the mark.

A fantastic crowd of 948 witnessed a first 45 largely dominated by the hosts, but were soon greeted by an opener from the visitors after the interval.

The second half was scarce of chances until Alan Trouten’s opener in the 57th minute. The veteran attacker, who’d found plenty of space on the left-hand side of the Rose box during an attack, had initially been denied by a brave Josh Grigor block. But after Rose failed to clear their lines, Trouten maintained composure to jink his way around bodies before curling the ball into the top corner of Paddy Martin’s net.

A sucker-punch to be behind, no doubt, but Rose kept fighting. A wild Scott Shepherd strike was sandwiched between another two fine Fleming stops up the other end. First, the sprightly 38-year-old kept out a promising header from Keiran McGachie following some excellent attacking play from Rose; before expertly tipping a Zander Murray curler – that seemed destined to ripple the net – wide

But finally, Fleming was beaten. The old hand couldn’t keep out Callum Connolly as the midfielder rose highest to head home a Currie corner to put the Rose on level-footing with 15 minutes to play.

Despite pushing forward and creating half-chances, the only clear chance to come was for The Fifers. Connor McManus played through Hearts loanee Aidan Denholm in the second minute of stoppage time, only for the youngster to fire centrally into the hands of Martin.

A draw that on another day could have very likely been a victory but, more importantly, another good performance to take forward. Next week, it’s Albion Rovers at Cliftonhill for the Rosey Posey.

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