KELTY Hearts kept up their bid to retain the East Super League title with a fine win at Musselburgh on Saturday.

Meanwhile draws dominated in the other fixtures while Crossgates Primrose were involved in another goal glut.

Musselburgh Athletic 1, Kelty Hearts 3.

ANOTHER excellent performance from Hearts on the road as they stay level with Boness at the top of the table.

Burgh have been having a bit of an up and down season but they are always difficult to beat in East Lothian and on Saturday made Kelty have to work hard to get the result they wanted.

The opening half saw Kelty have the better of possession but there was little in it.

Hearts’ ‘Mr Goals’, Stuart Cargill was looking in the mood and he came close to grabbing the opener but the goal did come from defender Murray Carstairs who finished well from close in after a goalmouth scramble.

But just when it looked they could stretch their lead Athletic hit back to level things in 30 minutes from the spot after a foul in the box but Kelty were looking dangerous every time they went forward and Gary Leighton found space to nod home the second following a corner to give the visitors an interval lead.

The second-half was equally as hotly contested and Hearts saw Cargill and Callum Smith threaten as they tried to get the key third goal.

And it came from Cargill on the hour with one of his expert finishes to see his team join Boness in top spot on 17 points and it sets them up for their William Hill Scottish Cup-tie with Lothian Thistle away from home this weekend.

Hearts player/boss Thomas Courts was pleased with the battling performance from his side, “We had to work hard but the team again applied themselves well and were worth the three points.

“Now we can focus on the next stage of the Scottish Cup story against Lothian Thistle.”

St Andrews United 1, Hill of Beath Hawthorn 1.

HAWS had to come back from losing a goal in the opening seconds and while it took them to the closing minutes to level this Super League game they were well worth the point.

Hill of Beath kicked-off, but lost possession and St Andrews forced a corner and from it the ball was forced over the line.

Neither side were really creating a lot of chances and it was no surprise that at the break the score remained the same.

The second period saw Haws create a few more chances and Calum Adamson forced a good save from the ‘keeper but as time dragged on the visitors were still chasing a leveller.

Then with two minutes to go they won a free-kick 20 yards out and Scott McCrindle fired a magnificent shot past the ‘keeper to ensure his team grabbed a point.

Haws manager Bobby Wilson was disappointed at the start his side made, “We have lost early goals in several games but we came back well from the early set-back at St Andrews.

“There were not a lot of chances in the game at either end but Scott’s finish was just what we neeed.”

Arniston Rangers 1, Dundonald Bluebell 1.

BLUEBELL took the game to Arniston in this East Premier League game but could not force an early goal.

Rangers brought Bluebell ‘keeper James Lennox into the game a couple of times but on the half-hour Dundonald took the lead.

Sean Keatings did well to create the opening and Greg Meikle fired home and Lewis Elder might have added another.

Dundonald started the second period well and Meikle again went close but gradually Arniston started to get more possession. The Bluebell defence kept them out well and as the game went into the closing minutes it looked like the single goal would decide it.

Then with seconds to go Rangers forced a corner and the header from it gave Lennox no chance.

Said Bluebell player/boss Craig Morrison, “It felt like a defeat losing such a late strike but we played well without getting the second goal which would have killed the game.”

Livingston United 1 Lochgelly Albert 1.

A SCRAPPY South Division game saw Lochgelly Albert have to settle for a point from their clash with United.

The opening stages saw few chances created as the teams struggled to come to terms with a bumpy pitch and neither ‘keeper was really worried.

However, Lochgelly were starting to create chances when on the half-hour Lee Schiavone sent lover a cross which a home defender turned into his own net.

Advantage Berts but they failed to really take advantage of this and on the interval Livi levelled when Lochgelly 'keeper Lee Wilson blocked a shot but the rebound was bundled in to the net to square things at the break.

The second-half saw Lochgelly force a couple of good saves from the home ‘keeper but Wilson had also to be on the alert to make a couple of good saves to ensure a point.

Pumpherston 5, Crossgates Primrose 4.

CROSSGATES and goals have become a feature and this South Division game was another thriller.

After a 5-5 draw last week the Primrose fans would have been hoping for some better work by their favourites’ defenders but alas no.

However, on the positive side Pumpherston also struggled at the back and goals were inevitable and the Humbug men were unlucky not to earn another draw.

Lochore Welfare 1, Dundee Downfield 1.

LOCHORE had the opportunities to win this North Division fixture but failed to convert some good chances.

Welfare started the game well and Daniel Watt’s header brought out a great save from the Downfield ‘keeper and James Adam twice went close.

No goals at the break but after 15 minutes Welfare took the lead. Josh McPhie created the opening with a good pass and Craig McGuire fired the ball home.

As Downfield struggled for a spell McPhie hit the post and then a Watt header hit the bar and came down and somehow the ball was cleared after a scramble.

Then in five minutes of time added on Downfield forced a corner and Gary Inglis pulled off a good save but the loose ball was forced home.

Welfare player/coach John Cusick was disappointed his team did not win, “We dominated one of the better teams in the division but just did not score the goals our play deserved.”

Big cup day

SATURDAY is cup day and for Kelty Hearts it is a big occasion as they travel to take on Lothian Thistle in the first round proper of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

Meanwhile it is also Scottish Junior Cup day. Hill of Beath Hawthorn are away to Buckie Thistle, while Lochgelly Albert travel to play Whitletts Vics. Meanwhile high scoring Crossgates Primrose are at home to Lanark United.

Saturday’s games, William Hill Scottish Cup first round, Lothian Thistle v Kelty Hearts (3pm).

Scottish Junior Cup first round, Buckie Rovers v Hill of Beath Hawthorn, Whitletts Vics v Lochgelly Albert, Crossgates Primrose v Lanark United.

McBookie.com East Premier League, Dalkeith Thistle v Dundonald Bluebell. McBookie.com North Division , Dundee North End v Lochore Welfare (2.30pm).