Scorer: Faye (90)
A late winner from Alieu Faye broke the hearts of 10-man Stranraer who find themselves in a relegation battle.
Matty Connelly had already saved a first half penalty before Dylan Forrest was shown a second yellow card early in the second period.
Jamie Hamill was without the services of Aaron Brown and James Hilton, who joined long-term absentees Luke Scullion, Dean Hawkshaw and Paul Woods on the sidelines.
That meant recalls for player/coach Scott Robertson and also Grant Gallagher in midfield.
It was a first half of relatively few chances, with the home side arguably having the better of them.
Craig Ross was inches away from breaking the deadlock when he poked wide after a clever flick from Darryl Duffy following a Josh Walker corner.
Then, Walker was denied by Patrick Martin in the Bonnyrigg goal after he brought down Finn Ecrepont’s cross into the box.
However, the main talking point of the first half came as the game headed towards stoppage time.
Kyle Girvan cleared a harmless looking ball into the box under pressure from Kieran Mitchell.
The frontman went down and referee Stewart Luke pointed to the penalty spot.
The men from Midlothian had scored from the spot in the previous two meetings but Connelly was equal to it on this occasion and saved from Neil Martyniuk.
It was a moment that could have motivated the home side and they came out for the second half and created the first clear cut chance.
Walker’s corner was met by the rising Gallagher and Martin did well to make the save under pressure from Ross.
The game’s turning point would come just moments later when Forrest was sent for an early bath.
The midfielder had been booked for a tough tackle in the first half and, when Kerr Young went down in front of the Stranraer dugout, he received a second yellow card.
It looked on the harsh side but the hosts would have to battle on with 10-men.
For much of the remainder of the game, it looked as though Stranraer would see it out.
Callum Connelly came closest for the visitors when he struck the post from close range.
That was until stoppage time when the home defence failed to deal with a corner.
Connelly’s effort looped over the Stranraer goalkeeper and clipped the top of the crossbar.
Faye was in the right place at the right time to fire the ball home from close range and send the long travelled fans home happy.
It is Stranraer who face the long journey this coming weekend as they venture north to Elgin City.
A positive result would be very much welcomed by everyone associated with Stranraer.
Stranraer: M Connelly, Girvan, Ross, Ecrepont, McIntosh, Robertson (Brady 85), Gallagher, Forrest, Grant, Walker (Watt 78), Duffy (Malcolm 67).
Not used: Ellis, Dunn, Eze and O’Connor.
Bonnyrigg Rose: Martin, Martyniuk, Young, Grigor, Brett, Horne, Stewart (Faye 81), Arnott (R Gray 74), C Connelly, Murray (Smith 74), Mitchell.
Not used: McGale, Doan, S Gray, Barrett and Andrews.
Attendance: 458
Referee: Stewart Luke
HT: 0-0
Photos: Bill McCandlish
