Having lost to the Borders and Glasgow in quick succession, Todd Blackadder’s men went into the Boxing Day battle knowing a third defeat would spell the end of their glory aspirations.

And they recovered from a shaky start to get back on the rails with a sparkling second-half display which earned a precious bonus point.

Edinburgh had looked the hungrier outfit during the scrappy opening sparring session but their promising build-up work was spoiled by impatience and carelessness.

Breakaway forward Ally Hogg set up the first chance by snaffling a loose ball in the wake of a line-out. They earned a penalty in a kickable position, however scrum half Mikey Blair took the quick tap and was blocked.

Referee Malcolm Changleng ruled that the challenge had been too hasty and advanced the award 10 metres. Again the Gunners spurned the kick at goal and opted for a line-out close to the corner.

But the opportunity was wasted when the Borders were given a penalty for the throw being delayed.

The reprieve heartened the visitors and they embarked on a series of raids at the other end, with veteran stand-off Gregor Townsend testing the defence by launching a variety of lobs.

But Gunners returned to the attack, only to tarnish their endeavours when prop Craig Smith was guilty of aiming a punch at a rival which failed to connect.

Good work from flanker Scott Gray and winger Simon Danielli put fresh pressure on Edinburgh and after Semo Sititi was bundled out of play just a stride from the target, Charlie Hore edged them in front with a straightforward penalty for offside.

Most of the action was confined to the cluttered midfield, however it was the capital men who seized the initiative in the 33rd minute by claiming the first try of the contest.

Scott Murray and Peter Jorgensen combined in slick fashion to feed Marcus Di Rollo, lurking on the right wing. Di Rollo turned on the pace to outstrip his markers and cruised to the line from 30 metres.

It took the Reivers less than three minutes to strike back. An initial penalty came to nothing, but a fluffed clearance by Phil Godman handed them a second chance to power into the danger zone with a rolling maul.

Edinburgh’s pack could not contain the momentum and Samoan lock Opeta Palepoi plunged over for the touchdown. Chris Paterson and Hore were wide with the respective conversions.

There was a further double setback for the hosts just before the interval when winger Simon Webster and prop Allan Jacobsen hobbled off with muscle injuries to be replaced by Francisco Leonelli and Al Dickinson.

Their departure was soon forgotten as the Gunners surged ahead just three minutes after the restart. Paterson was off the mark with a penalty, however Hore spilled the ball adjacent to his own posts.

And from the scrum, Hogg shrugged off two challenges to plough his way to the line – Paterson finding his range to add the conversion.

Hore repaired some of the damage by slotting his second penalty, but Edinburgh snatched back the momentum with another great touchdown from Jorgensen. Again Paterson banged over the kick to give his side useful breathing space going into the final stages.

He boosted them further with a straightforward penalty, only to see the Reivers burst back into the picture with a freak score.

Townsend’s deft chip seemed to be covered by the home defence, but when the ball rebounded from the post they were completely wrong-footed and Hore gleefully scooped it up to put it down and give himself a formality of a conversion.

Paterson eased the jitters at the other end with his second penalty – then Ally Kellock spiralled over to make sure of the all-important bonus point.

However, Reivers refused to buckle and they salvaged a consolation point when Chris Cusiter nipped over for a last-gasp try, goaled by Hore.