PREMIER league side Burghmuir entertained Rothie Rovers in an AFC trophy cup tie in perfect playing conditions.

Burghmuir were again missing key players through injury and holiday, a factor which has plagued them since the season commenced. Managers Mackie and Walker again reshuffled the pack, Andy Sorrie slotting in at centre back with Barrie moving into a more advanced role in the middle of the park.

Kris Innes and Stephen Sinclair continued in attack, with the latter performing the 'Heskey-esque' duties similar to the recalled England international with Innes feeding off him.

The match started briskly with the enthusiastic Rothie team causing the Burgh defence problems and on a couple of occasions goalkeeper Kevin Cruickshank required to act smartly to nullify the Rothie threat.

Disaster struck on the 20 minute mark when attempting a tackle, Sorrie pulled up with a thigh strain. Neal Copeland replaced the luckless defender with David Barrie reverting to a centre back role alongside the ever dependable Andy Graham who soon after fell victim to a nasty late challenge, for which the referee took no action.

However, on the half hour mark the visitors took the lead. A throw in on the right bobbled around the box and was not properly cleared. The ball found itself at the feet of one of the Rothie forwards who scuffed his left foot shot under the diving Cruickshank.

This spurred Burgh into some sustained attacking pressure with three corners in succession, but the final ball was always a problem for the Strathburn Park men. Some refereeing decisions were being queried by the Burgh players towards the end of the first half, in particular Scott Walker and Graham being quite vocal to the man in black.

It was time for Burgh to take the game to Rothie and they did start the second half more briskly. Sinclair saw a chance shave the post and Innes should have done better when he found himself in space but his 1st touch let him down and allowed the Rothie defence to clear.

Burgh became more frustrated with their efforts on the pitch, and it was no surprise to see the referee brandish a straight red card to captain for the day Walker for a high challenge on a Rothie midfielder. It certainly didn't help things just when the management team were looking to carry out a tactical change.

Andy Cruden replaced Liam Barron and Burgh reverted to a three man defence, with young Geo Mackie slotting back and Neil McIntosh in particular shining with some clever play on and off the ball.

Burgh upped the ante with ten men and pressed Rothie, the away side now only hitting on the break, but the Inverurie sides defence stood firm and thwarted any further attacks the visitors could muster.

Again the unlucky Sinclair saw an effort go wide, and Paul Mitchell toe poked a ball over his advancing sibling in the Rothie goal, only to see it bounce narrowly wide of the upright.

Agonisingly the final whistle went much to the disappointment of the Inverurie side who could not be faulted for their endeavour but perhaps lacked that killer through ball or defence splitting pass.

Messrs Mackie and Walker will be encouraged by the fact that a fully fit and available squad is just a week or two away which will bring more competition for places at the Premier league side.