Rugby: Broken nose fails to halt Minto heroics

The 24-year-old winger suffered a broken nose shortly before returning to the field and scoring what proved to be a decisive try in the 20-18 victory at Melrose which sent Edinburgh Accies crashing into Division Two instead.

Minto, last season's top try-scorer but who dislocated a shoulder in August and only returned to the fray a fortnight ago, said: "I was told by our team doctor that I had to visit a hospital accident and emergency unit after the match but following a talk with coach Bruce Aitchison I agreed to return to the pitch because we only had one back-line substitute.

"The damage had been caused by an elbow and there was a bit of a crack; when I took a further knock I had to retire briefly to have blood washed off my face.

"Breathing and talking were a wee bit difficult but when the nose is re-set, things will improve.

"As for my try, all I had to do was go outside the Melrose defence because Jamie Forbes had shown a touch of class to create the opening."

Forbes is a member of the Scotland under-19 squad while his fellow sub, Garry Scott, also played a major part – aged 48.

"If we had been relegated I would probably have called it a day but I am keen to play on," said prop forward Scott.