Fraserburgh 1-1 Bonnyrigg Rose: Super sub Sean earns a second bite at cup

Fraserburgh's ground, for instance, is a facility every single club outside – and even some inside probably – the Scottish Football League would be proud to call their home.

It also has a playing surface as good as you are likely to see anywhere in Scotland and then there's the money the Highland League club generates through sponsors.

There must have been more advertising boards around the park that sits close to the North Sea than there is at all 12 clubs in the East Region Super League.

McHale was delighted that Bonnyrigg's first-ever tie in the Active Nation Scottish Cup offered him the chance to see how a club like Fraserburgh went about their business.

He was even happier after a late equaliser from substitute Sean Paliczka ensured that the roles will be reversed when the two teams have to do it all over again at New Dundas Park this Saturday.

Alan Miller's men thoroughly deserved that opportunity, having recovered from a shaky start to prove a good match for a Fraserburgh side that had bags of pace and, moreover, one that doesn't slip up very often on home turf.

Robert Morrice, a whippet-like centre-forward, rattled the post and William West hit the top of the crossbar as the home side started as though they wanted to get this tie over and done with.

But, after gradually getting a foothold in the game, Bonnyrigg created some chances of their own before the break, most notably when Charlie Brigain had an initial attempt saved by the home goalkeeper before his second effort was cleared off the line by Fraserburgh captain Russell McBride.

The two teams continued to look evenly matched after the break and, after creating the best of the chances, Fraserburgh eventually broke the deadlock with 14 minutes to go.

Winger Steven Main was going nowhere with the ball at his feet in the box but, perhaps naively, young Bonnyrigg defender Scott Ritchie stuck out a leg and brought him down. Neil Main beat Michael Atai with the spot-kick and the visitors were suddenly facing a first-round exit. They'd shown a tremendous commitment to the cause throughout, though, and, with just five minutes to go, Paliczka, who'd come with Andy Howat in a double substitution midway through the second-half, sparked scenes of joy among the Bonnyrigg fans who'd made the long journey to the North-East town.

Ross Hamilton, another of the changes made by Miller late on, threaded a ball down the left, Paliczka cut inside on to his right foot and steadied himself before finding the corner of the net.

The little striker was yellow carded for leaving the field of play during the joyous celebrations that followed and admitted afterwards it had been one of the sweetest goals of his career.

"It was a great effort from the boys and I was delighted to get such an important goal," said Paliczka, who missed the second half of last season after suffering a broken leg.

"Trying to hit the target was the only thing on my mind and, if the keeper had managed to make a save, either myself of Andy Howat was going to be there for the rebound.

"They were a decent side but I think a draw was a fair result. We were not outplayed in any way and we are now looking forward to getting them back down at Bonnyrigg this weekend."

While Bonnyrigg have not yet managed to fire on all cylinders in the Super League, this was a much better all-round performance, with David Caine, a promising right-back on loan from Stenhousemuir, David Dunn, David Burrell and Graham McCaul all deserving special mention.

"In the first 20 minutes, they certainly came at us and they are a fit and athletic side," said a delighted Miller. "But, after that, we played our way into the game and, over the piece, I think we were probably the better side.

"For the penalty, Scott could have ushered the guy out and he didn't have to go to ground – he knows that now! But he's been fantastic for us.

"It was always the plan to bring the two quick guys up front towards the end and Sean Paliczka took his goal very well."

Fraserburgh: Leask, Hay, McBride, Dickson, Ralph, N Main. Beagrie, West, Morrice (Hale 88), Johnston (Stephen 66), S Main. Subs: Garden, Conway, Dickinson.

Bonnyrigg Rose: Atai, Caine, Noble, Dunn, Ritchie, Wilson (Hamilton 75), Burrell, Morrice, Cameron (Howat 66), McCaul, Brigain (Paliczka 66). Subs: Mearns, Combie.

Referee: A Frew