Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 2 Preston Athletic 3

Swifts fell to a second successive First Division defeat as fellow strugglers Preston Athletic fought back from a half-time deficit on Saturday.

Gary Sibbald's side lost to Whitehill Welfare in their previous encounter, and were beaten for the seventh time in 13 outings by a visiting side who sit immediately above the relegation zone.

Kris Renton slotted Preston into an 18th minute lead but, six minutes before the break, Dylan Vannett levelled matters.

Struan Grieve then turned the game on its head two minutes later to put Inverkeithing ahead at the interval, but Renton netted again shortly after the restart to equalise.

Swifts scored two quick goals to lead at half-time.Swifts scored two quick goals to lead at half-time. (Image: David Wardle.) He then completed his hat-trick, and scored what proved to be the winner, just after the hour mark to leave the Swifts second bottom of the table, two places and three points adrift of their opponents, and safety.

Ahead of the game, Sibbald noted: "When I took over the job, it was a really unbalanced squad.

"We're confident that, if we can make a couple of signings here or there, it should be the difference because we're not far away in games. It's just the fine margins that we're working hard to get right.

"We've just got to persevere.

The Swifts bench watch on during Saturday's match.The Swifts bench watch on during Saturday's match. (Image: David Wardle.)

"We want to try and play as much football as we can but, at the end of the day, it's about results, especially as the run we've been on recently has not been great.

"We're trying to ride that storm at the moment and get ourselves back on an upward climb."

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On Tuesday, Sibbald added to his squad as it was announced that the club had brought in striker Mitchell Sharp - "sought after by a few teams due to an impressive start to the season" - from Newburgh.

However, attacking midfielder, Liam Kelly, has been made available for transfer at his own request.

The 24-year-old, who has previously had spells with Kelty Hearts, Dundonald Bluebell and Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale, has scored 23 goals in more than 100 senior matches, over four seasons, with the Swifts.

West Calder United 1 Oakley United 4

Oakley United made it three wins from four unbeaten Second Division matches as they earned a fine victory at West Calder United.

Peter Goldie hailed his players as "excellent" for delivering what he felt was a "thoroughly deserved" three points in West Lothian that moves them to within two of their third-top opponents - and the promotion places.

A hat-trick from man of the match, Scott Bruce, and a Ryan Cowie effort, gave Oakley the win and Goldie, who completed a deal ahead of the game to bring centre back, Finlay Goodlad, back to the club from Whitburn ahead of the game, said: "I was delighted with our performance on Saturday and we thoroughly deserved the win.

"Every one of the boys were excellent and gave us exactly what we asked for.

"I've told the boys on numerous occasions that, when we apply ourselves, we can give any team a run for their money.

"Going away from home to (the team that is) second in the league, and performing how we did, was brilliant to see. We are starting to get some consistency in our performances now and the atmosphere in the changing room is buzzing."

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Oakley took the lead just before the half-hour mark when Bruce headed in from a long throw into the West Calder box, before Cowie doubled their advantage five minutes before the break by nodding in a superb Shay Brough delivery into the penalty area.

Another excellent cross by Brough, six minutes after the restart, allowed Bruce to head in the O's third goal, before he completed his treble to claim the match ball in style with an excellent strike from range.

Scott Hay grabbed a late consolation for the hosts, but Oakley, who are seventh, were worthy winners.

"Some of the goals we scored n Saturday were a joy to watch, with our third goal, two minutes into the second half, being the pick of them for me," Goldie continued.

"I was delighted for Scott Bruce scoring a hat-trick as well. Hopefully he can kick on and bag a few more in the coming weeks.

"We've got a few home games coming up after our free week this week, and we will be looking to get maximum points from these and put ourselves in a good position going into the Christmas break."

Edinburgh South 7 Crossgates Primrose 0

Crossgates Primrose manager Alan Campbell said he is looking for a reaction from his players after they were "well beaten" at Edinburgh South.

The Humbug Park outfit fell to their heaviest defeat of the season, and just their third in the First Division, in the capital against opponents who are two places outside the relegation positions.

Ciaran Vaughan put the home side ahead in the 14th minute and, by the break, Crossgates were four goals behind, as Kenny O'Brien, Lee Taggart and Jack Blaney all found the net.

O'Brien netted his second, and Edinburgh's fifth, from the penalty spot two minutes after the restart, before completing his hat-trick just three minutes later.

Reece Ferguson completed a miserable day for Primrose late on, and Campbell said: "We were well beaten.

"We were outplayed from start to finish, out-fought and out-worked. I didn't see it coming; it was a shock and a surprise.

"I don't know if we turned up expecting to win. The pitch was particularly poor but it's not an excuse - they played well on it, and we didn't do it.

"The scoreline is maybe a bit harsh. Every single shot they hit seemed to go in.

"All credit goes to them on the day. They deserved their win. It's a real character test for the players to come back from that.

"Everything that went wrong, went wrong, and it's back to the drawing board and back to basics for us this week.

"It's not acceptable and I'm looking forward to seeing how they react. They've had a lot of plaudits from me and the supporters, but they need to take a wee bit of flack for that result."

Saturday's fixtures: East of Scotland League First Division: Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Camelon Juniors (2.30pm). King Cup, first round: Lochore Welfare v Crossgates Primrose (1.30pm).