Penicuik Athletic 1 Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 1, East of Scotland League, Premier Division

JASON DAIR felt his Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts side should have taken three points after they were held to a draw by Penicuik Athletic.

After ending a run of four successive defeats, three of which came in the league, at Pumpherston in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup the previous week, the visitors travelled to Midlothian seeking their first points on the road this season.

Their cause was helped when the hosts' Liam Hall was shown a 26th-minute red card for a dangerous tackle, and eight minutes later Che Reilly fired Swifts ahead with a superb finish from the edge of the box.

That looked like being enough to secure the win for Inverkeithing but, with nine minutes to go, Andy Forbes tapped in an equaliser from close range after a corner kick was twice flicked on and into his path.

Dunfermline Press: Jason Dair (far right) watched his side pick up a draw at Penicuik Athletic.Jason Dair (far right) watched his side pick up a draw at Penicuik Athletic. (Image: David Wardle.)

There was a nervy finish for the visitors, who also had a goal ruled out for offside, when Ryan Mauchlan was also shown red, and Dair reflected: "There wasn't much between the teams to start with.

"With the way it went, it was a game we probably should've won, but we've not picked up a lot of points through there in the past so it was a good point away from home, I suppose.

"I was just slightly disappointed when we were playing against 10 men that we didn't press home our advantage and get a bit more of a cushion than one goal. You're always going to get a chance with balls into the box.

"I think we had enough possession and enough chances. "

Hutchison Vale 3 Crossgates Primrose 0, East of Scotland League, Premier Division

MANAGER Alan Campbell said he wasn't too downbeat despite watching his Crossgates Primrose side fall to defeat against Hutchison Vale last Friday evening.

The Humbug Park outfit made the trip to Edinburgh but travelled back across the Forth on the back of a three goal loss.

Primrose, who had not played in two weeks, had been looking to bounce back from their home derby defeat to near neighbours, Hill of Beath Hawthorn, last time out but fell behind on the stroke of half-time.

Joe Viola's close-range finish gave the home side the advantage, which they doubled before the interval when Tony Muir netted from around eight yards after a cross was deflected into his path.

A penalty, given for a foul on Viola, allowed Scott Maxwell to complete the scoring just after the hour mark as Hutchison Vale won their third successive Premier Division match.

Campbell, who was still without key players such as Brian Ritchie and Finn Graham, commented: "In the first half there was nothing really in the game.

"We started really well and played with real intent, but we didn't get a goal. We were then hit with a sucker-punch before half-time, and then lost a second one right on the back of it.

"To go in two down was really undeserved and a head-scratcher. We had a couple of great chances at the start of the second half as well, but the game was effectively ended with the penalty that they got.

"Any neutral who was there would say it wasn't a 3-0 game, but you've got to give credit to the opposition. Hutchison Vale scored three goals, we didn't score any and they're away with the three points.

"I'm not too down about it."

Newtongrange Star 2 Oakley United 2, East of Scotland League, First Division

PETER GOLDIE said he couldn't fault his Oakley United side after a performance he felt was "the best I've seen from them this season" on Saturday.

After six successive defeats in all competitions, the Blairwood Park team picked up just their fourth point of their First Division campaign with a draw at fifth-placed Newtongrange Star.

Oakley, who had picked up one win from their opening six games, looked to be on their way to a second when goals from Scott Bruce and debutant Shay Brough put them two goals up inside 39 minutes.

Goldie's men were forced into two substitutions before the start of the second half through injuries and Declan Henry pulled one back for Star.

And the home team earned a share of the spoils thanks to Dean Ballantyne's strike early in the second half.

"I thought we played really well first half and could've been out of sight at half-time," Goldie said.

"We scored two really good goals, with their keeper making another two unbelievable saves to keep us from extending the lead.

"They scored right on half-time, which took the wind out of our sails, and five minutes after half-time, which is a bit disappointing.

"However, I can't fault the lads' effort on Saturday. It's the best I've seen from them this season.

"Hopefully we can build on Saturday's performance and kick-on now."

Preston Athletic 4 Rosyth 2, East of Scotland League, First Division

STEVIE CRAWFORD suffered his first defeat as Rosyth manager and lamented the concession of "three poor goals" from corners at Preston Athletic.

After beginning his tenure with wins over Oakley United and Kirkcaldy and Dysart, the recently-installed Rec boss saw his side lose out in East Lothian.

Mikey McFarlane put the hosts in front at Pennypit Park before Jay Murray headed home their second.

Jamie Devlin nodded in a third, reacting to Ano Subasic's effort off the bar, before Jason Penman gave Rosyth a lifeline with a penalty just before the break.

Callum Strang pulled another back in the second half but, as the visitors pressed for an equaliser, Devlin scored his second late on to complete Preston's win.

Dunfermline Press: Stevie Crawford lost his first game as Rosyth boss on Saturday.Stevie Crawford lost his first game as Rosyth boss on Saturday. (Image: David Wardle.)

"We found ourselves 3-0 down due to poor marking at set plays, losing the first two goals from corners," Crawford said.

"We managed to get ourselves back into the game when Jason Penman scored with a penalty just before half-time. We were more front foot in the second half, and got a goal midway through the second half with Callum Strang scoring while through one v one with the goalkeeper.

"With 10 minutes to go we changed shape to get a second striker on the park to try and force an equaliser. Unfortunately for us, we lost a fourth goal, conceding from yet another corner.

"On reflection we created more than enough chances to take at least a point from the game, but we never really gave ourselves a chance, conceding three poor goals from corners.

"It gives us something to work and focus on leading into the Leith Athletic game this Saturday though."

Friday night's fixture: East of Scotland League, Premier Division - Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Luncarty (7.45pm). Saturday's fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm): East of Scotland League, Premier Division - Crossgates Primrose v Tynecastle. First Division - Oakley United v Arniston Rangers, Rosyth v Leith Athletic.