East of Scotland League: Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts secure safety

CROSSGATES boss Alan Campbell felt that his side "needed" their "well deserved" midweek win over Blackburn United - but felt they should have had another three points three days prior.

Primrose followed up a 3-3 draw with Jeanfield Swifts, which saw their opponents score twice in the last five minutes to earn a point, with a convincing win over relegation-threatened Blackburn on Tuesday night.

Scott Lawrie's penalty just before half-time put them ahead, before goals from Blair Paterson and Paul Brown stretched their advantage further.

Although Laurie Devine pulled one back, Crossgates completed the victory with a goal from a trialist, which was the perfect tonic following the thriller with Jeanfield.

Scott Smith put the Perth side ahead but, after Andy McDonald equalised, Archie Campbell put Primrose ahead at the break.

Campbell, inside the last 15 minutes, then made it 3-1 and looked to have sealed victory, only Connor McLaren to score twice late on and snatch a point.

"I think we needed that and it was well deserved," the Humbug Park boss said of their Blackburn win, which saw his players play out the final eight minutes with nine men, following two injuries after using all their substitutes.

"The first half was a bit of a battle. They were fighting for everything, but we got a penalty just before half-time, and that settled everyone down a bit. We played really well and ran over the top of them.

"We scored three really well-worked goals and could've scored more. I said to the players at the end that that's been coming.

"On Saturday, we were well in control. We were sitting there comfortable, and three points were there to be won.

"We should be sitting with six points from the two games, but I'm happy with the performances, which is the main thing."

Blackburn United 0 Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 1, East of Scotland League, Premier Division

SWIFTS have secured their Premier Division status after they notched a crucial win at Blackburn United on Saturday.

Josh Jeffries' 19th minute goal, finishing off Michael Paterson's square ball, gave them all three points and ensures they will avoid the bottom three places.

Following Blackburn's defeat at Crossgates, Swifts are eight points clear of the relegation zone, with two games remaining, and head coach, Craig Morrison, said: "We've put three wins on the board in the last three games, and it was imperative that we did that.

"I think the Vale of Leithen game (the Saturday previous) came at the right time. No disrespect to them, but it gave us a wee bit of confidence, in terms of scoring six goals.

"Moving on to the Hill of Beath one (last Tuesday), that was a nailbiting one that. I thought second half we were absolutely brilliant, and thoroughly deserved our win. That set the platform to go in on Saturday against Blackburn and put on the performance that the boys did.

"It's really pleasing and shows how far the boys have come, to have that maturity under that sort of pressure to be able to deliver three wins on the bounce. I'm really chuffed with them."

Swifts host Sauchie this weekend in their final home match, and the club are offering free entry for spectators.

Oakley United 1 Tynecastle 1, East of Scotland League, Premier Division

OAKLEY UNITED marked their penultimate home fixture by picking up a point against Tynecastle at Blairwood Park.

Peter Goldie's side, who will be playing in the First Division next season after suffering relegation, recovered from a goal down to earn a draw.

It was their third point of the season, from three draws, having had the points from their only win of the campaign, at Vale of Leithen, docked for fielding an ineligible player in a subsequent match.

Oakley travel to Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale on Saturday, before ending their campaign at home to Vale of Leithen the following week.

Whitehill Welfare 2 Rosyth 3, East of Scotland League, First Division

ROSYTH earned their sixth win in seven games by twice coming from behind to win at Whitehill Welfare.

Tam Hampson's double, and a Ryan McDonald effort, cancelled out goals from Ty O'Neill and Brian Wilson to secure a 10th victory in the league for Greig Denham's team.

"We certainly felt, going in 1-0 down at half-time, that we were the better team," he said.

"We relayed that message back at the half-time break, and it was just a case of trying to keep doing what we were doing, with maybe just a wee bit better quality in the final third. To come back twice shows the character, the resilience, and the never-say-die attitude that the guys are showing at the moment.

"They're showing a lot of determination, are working really hard, and I can't fault that at all.

"It was a great win. We're on quite a good run of form at the moment, and we're just trying to finish the season as strongly as possible."

Saturday's fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm unless stated): East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Sauchie (2pm), Linlithgow Rose v Crossgates Primrose, Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale v Oakley United (3pm). First Division: Coldstream v Rosyth.