Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts and Crossgates Primrose play out draw

DERBY day spoils were shared on Saturday as the Swifts netted a late equaliser to earn a crucial point against relegation rivals Crossgates Primrose.

The visitors looked set to take three points back to Humbug Park, and to within one of their opponents, thanks to Archie Campbell's goal in the 19th minute.

However, with just two minutes to go, Adam Mansouri levelled for the hosts, who remain just two points and one place above the relegation places.

Luncarty, who occupy third bottom spot, are the team closest to the Swifts, with second-bottom Primrose another two points back, but, crucially, both of those teams have played four games less.

Jason McCrindle's Inverkeithing were back in league action on Tuesday night when they travelled to Sauchie for a rearranged clash, following its postponement on April 6, but returned home with a four-goal defeat.

Brian Morgan's 23rd minute opener, and Sam Muir's 59th minute effort, put Sauchie two goals ahead, before two more late on - an own goal and one from Danny Smith - completed the scoring.

Following Saturday's match, Swifts' Callum Deas felt that, while his team had a lot of the ball, they would have liked to have created more scoring opportunities.

However, after a result that ended a run of seven successive losses in the league, he noted: "A draw is better than nothing. Hopefully it can kick-start us and we can have a strong finish to the season to stay up.

"I felt positive about it - it was a better feeling than what we've had in recent weeks. The performance was positive and hopefully it's the confidence boost we need.

"We'd rather be higher up the table but it's in our hands."

Swifts have three league matches, after the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup final with Dunbar United, on April 28, to go, the first of which is away to Luncarty.

Crossgates have seven to go in a busy run-in, with Musselburgh Athletic up next on Saturday at home, and boss Alan Campbell was disappointed to concede late on.

He also felt his team were denied what he described as "as clear a penalty as you'll ever see", after claiming Dunfermline Athletic loanee, Ewan McLeod, was "hauled" down inside the box.

"There was a penalty decision where the whole group, our crowd, our coaching staff, our playing staff, were in complete disbelief that we didn't get a penalty," he said.

"I'm sick of talking about it. It seems to be happening every week. I'm just hoping the last six or seven games we'll get a couple of them going for us because it's been a long season of poor decisions going against us quite a bit.

"I know I'm sounding like I'm making excuses, but in that situation on Saturday, in a big game where you're 1-0 up, you make a good move into the box and you get that, then it's quite hard to take.

"I didn't think it was the result that any team was looking for to be honest. I think, at this stage of the season, both teams were looking to win the game.

"I think we were naturally a bit more disappointed because we led for so long. In terms of performance, I was quite happy with the way we defended.

"Going forward, we were probably looking for a bit more, to be honest. We created a few chances, but not a lot. That second goal I think would've killed the game.

"At 1-0, it's never enough of a lead, anything can happen in a game of football and, to be fair, sometimes you've got to hold your hand up. The boy's curled in a shot from about 25 yards with his left foot right into the corner, so you've just got to take your hat off sometimes. It was a brilliant goal from the boy.

"We just need to take it on the chin and move on."

Crossgates were also in action on Tuesday evening, in the East of Scotland League Cup, where they progressed to round four with victory at Newtongrange Star.

Ross Philp gave Primrose the lead after only four minutes, which Darren Smith doubled after a quarter-of-an-hour, to secure victory against the First Division hosts.

Heriot-Watt University 2 Oakley United 0, East of Scotland League, First Division

OAKLEY UNITED'S battle against the drop in the First Division suffered a double blow with two defeats in the space of three days.

Peter Goldie's team, who sit second bottom of the table, travelled to sixth-placed Heriot-Watt University on Saturday, but were beaten after the students netted either side of the half-time interval.

That was followed by a rearranged home clash with Whitburn, following a postponement on April 6, on Tuesday evening, but the fifth-placed promotion chasers inflicted a heavy defeat.

Sammy Watson's back post header, on the stroke of half-time, gave the West Lothian visitors the lead, before Ross Crawford made it 2-0 a minute into the second half.

Kevin Fotheringham added a third just before the hour mark, before Crawford added his second, and Whitburn's fourth, in stoppage time.

Oakley are 10 points adrift of Lochore Welfare, who sit one place above them and outside the relegation places.

Saturday's fixtures (both kick-offs 2.30pm): East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Crossgates Primrose v Musselburgh Athletic. First Division: Oakley United v Dunipace.

Tuesday's fixtures (both 7pm): Premier Division: Crossgates Primrose v Dundonald Bluebell. First Division: Oakley United v Arniston Rangers.