Crossgates boss says Dunbar United match is 'must-win'

PRIMROSE boss Alan Campbell has declared Saturday's clash with Dunbar United as a must-win for his side after their survival hopes were dealt a blow on Tuesday evening.

After winning at bottom side Kinnoull on Saturday, thanks to on-loan Dunfermline Athletic forward Jake Sutherland's second half goal, the Humbug Park outfit had the chance, temporarily at least, to leap out of the bottom three if they could win at Glenrothes.

However, after a first half that Campbell felt wasn't good enough from his team, they found themselves two goals behind and couldn't find a route back into the game against a Glens side that started the evening one point above Crossgates.

They moved from fourth bottom, one place outside the relegation zone, up one spot and above Luncarty, who were scheduled to host Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts, third bottom and in the final relegation place, last night (Wednesday).

Goals from Jordan McKenzie, in the 20th minute, and Jay Bridgeford, eight minutes later, did the damage to Crossgates, and Campbell said: "In the first half, we made a couple of errors and got punished.

"We deserved to go in two down at half-time. We did well in the second half and I think if we've got that goal, we would've put pressure on them, but we couldn't get that goal back.

"Glenrothes deserved to win. We didn't compete well enough in the first 20-25 minutes.

"It's very disappointing but we've got three league games left. We can only take care of ourselves, but we have to win on Saturday. There's no point in dressing it up any other way.

"We have to go and attack from the start, try and get three points and see where that leaves us.

"It's a big game on Saturday and we'll get them up for it. I think there'll be a couple of twists and turns. When there's four or five teams fighting for one position, nerves come into it, and there are one or two results that you don't expect."

Campbell was happier with his team's performance at Kinnoull ahead of the Glens loss, adding: "We played well on Saturday.

"It was a tough game and we went there knowing we had to win. We dominated the game from the first minute to the last, but we had to be patient.

"Jake scored a good goal and we should've scored more, but it was a good result and good performance."

Preston Athletic 3 Oakley United 1, East of Scotland League, First Division

OAKLEY UNITED'S struggles continued as they fell to a seventh successive defeat at Preston Athletic on Saturday.

Peter Goldie's team remain deep in relegation trouble, 11 points from safety with six matches remaining, after they were beaten in East Lothian.

After a scoreless first half, Jay Murray's header gave the home side the lead early in the second half, but that was soon cancelled out by Shay Brough.

However, Brad Donaldson's header, and Neilson Combe's tap-in from a Murray Gilfillan, gave Preston all three points and leave Oakley second bottom of the division.

On Wednesday evening, though, Oakley were back in action and picked up a vital three points at Arniston Rangers.

Ryan Cowie's double - one before half-time, and the other with three minutes to go - leaves them nine points adrift of third bottom Lochore Welfare.

Also on Wednesday, Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts, fresh from winning the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, suffered a 3-1 loss at Luncarty.

Dale Smart gave the Perth team an eighth minute lead, which they doubled through Craig Mitchell 10 minutes into the second half, before Liam Kelly pulled one back for the Swifts.

However, an effort from a trialist sealed the win for Luncarty, moving them four points ahead of the Swifts, having played a game fewer.

Jason McCrindle's Swifts are four points behind Glenrothes, who are one place above them and outside the relegation zone, before the teams meet on Saturday.

Saturday's fixtures (2.30pm unless stated): East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Glenrothes (2pm), Crossgates Primrose v Dunbar United. First Division: Whitehill Welfare v Oakley United.