It was back to the bread and butter of the East Super League for Linlithgow 
on Saturday and with Lochee and Whitburn opening up a sizeable gap at the top 
of the table Rose boss Jim Sinnet knew thatthere was no room for an more 
slip ups as his side try to fight there way back into the title race.
 
Rose kicked of with the same eleven as the previous weeks Scottish Cup 
victory and were almost in front within a minute when Brian Carrigan unleashed 
a wicked dipping volley from just outside the area that was not 
too far over McAfferty's crossbar. It was clear from early in the 
game that the visitors were going to be happy to sit back and let Linlithgow 
come at them as they packed their defence and never in truth posed much of a threat 
to Gary McGlynn's goal. The one opportunity coming when McGlynn dallied a little 
too long with a pass back allowing Jon Voigt to close down the Rose keeper and 
force him to pay the ball out for a corner. 

In the 23rd minute a strong Gordon Herd run saw him cut the ball back across the 
six yard line but just as it seemed like Mark Tyrell was about to slam home the 
opening goal Robert Hendry nipped in with an important foot to take the ball away 
from the Rose midfielder. Rose were getting a bit frustrated at trying to break down 
the resolute Carnoustie defence but four minutes from the break they looked to have 
carved out the perfect opening when Carrigan's head flick sent Herd through one on 
one with Mcafferty, but the Rose striker elected to try and round the keeper from just six yards 
and the goalie got a vital hand to the ball as he dived at the feet of Herd, the ball 
broke to Tyrell but his shot was also saved by the overworked Mcafferty.
                   
A minute after the break McArthur looked like he had broke the deadlock when 
he met a Carrigan corner with a powerful header but again McAfferty was well 
positioned to turn it over the top. Greig Denham won the header from the resultant 
corner but his effort was too high. In the 56th minute after another Rose corner 
the ball broke to Herd just 4 yards from goal but under pressure from Narey he 
shot high over the top. It was looking like it was going to be one of those days for Rose
and one that would surely put the title beyond them but they kept plugging away and 
with Jim Sinnet sending Feeney and McSween on he was going all out for the victory. 
As everyone inside Prestonfield was glued to their watches counting down the minutes 
and urging their side on Rose struck right at the death. Robbie Feeney latched onto a 
Carrigan pass just outside the Carnoustie box and he burst past former Rangers man 
Gary Bollan before hitting a powerful shot that McAfferty was only able to touch 
onto the crossbar, Mark BRADLEY was following in and he slid in to hook the ball into
the net and spark celebrations for the players and fans alike. The goal served to wake 
up Carnoustie at last and they could have grabbed a share of the points when in 
the final minute a cross from the left found Kevin Steele unmarked at the back post 
but his header was saved by McGlynn, the ball broke to Voigt and he hit a vicious 
volley that saw McGlynn pull of a world class full length save to keep his side 
in front and eventually earn all three points.