THERE were fine wins for Crossgates Primrose and Lochore Welfare in the East of Scotland League fixtures on Saturday while Hill of Beath chalked up a good victory over former Scottish league club, Berwick Rangers, in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup.

Dundonald fought back for a share of the points while Lochgelly shipped three goals in a defeat from the league leaders.

Crossgates Primrose 3

Musselburgh Athletic 2

A HIGHLY entertaining Premier League game as Crossgates snatched a win with two late goals from Mark McKenzie.

Primrose went ahead in the 33rd minute from the penalty spot with veteran Brian Ritchie converting.

Musselburgh grabbed the leveller in 51 minutes and by the 67th minute they were ahead. Crossgates were shocked but within four minutes they were level when McKenzie showed his quality by cleverly putting the ball past the ‘keeper.

It set up an exciting finish with chances at both ends but McKenzie popped up again with a minute to go to grab the winner. The result puts Crossgates on 34 points, from 22 games, in seventh place.

Hill of Beath Haws 4

Berwick Rangers 2

ANOTHER win for the Haws who bossed this East of Scotland Qualifying Cup third round tie.

Hill of Beath took the lead in the 13th minute when Shaun Leishman's cross was perfect for Lyle Kellichan to fire past the keeper. Two minutes later they doubled up with a good finish from Ryan Connelly, after Daniel Watt’s drive was parried.

Rangers pulled a goal back on the half hour when Stuart Hall’s clearance cannoned off an attacker and the ball rebounded over the line. Haws stretched their lead when Calum Adamson slotted in number three, after Connelly teed up the winger.

Berwick made it 3-2 just before the break but Haws stayed in front. And a fine piece of finishing by Connelly put the result beyond doubt in the 68th minute, when Russell Grierson and Watt combined.

It's four wins on the trot for Haws in all competitions and manager Jason Dair is hoping his men can keep the run going when Blackburn United come to Keirs Park in the battle for Premier League survival.

“It was a really good performance against a side who have been winning games in the Lowland League and we created a lot of clear chances,” he said.

“We have a big game this Saturday against Blackburn but the lads’ confidence levels are high and hopefully we can keep our run going this Saturday.”

Lochore Welfare 5

Easthouses Lily 1

ANOTHER good Conference B win for the Welfare as they keep up their bid to finish in the top two.

Lochore took the lead in the opening minutes when Ewan Sutherland found the net. In the 10th minute he struck again, taking Robbie Crawford’s pass and slotting the ball past the keeper from six yards.

The third goal came on the half hour when Joe Kirby rocketed a shot into the top corner from 30 yards.

In 55 minutes Logan Donaldson set up Joe Dawson to finish in style. Donaldson grabbed the fifth goal on the hour and in injury time Easthouses gained some consolation from the penalty spot.

The Welfare are on 35 points, five behind second top Preston Athletic.

Manager James Adam said: “We started the game really well and were really fluid with our passing moves which caused Easthouses a lot of problems.

“If there was a downside it would be that our defending in the first-half was a bit shaky but we sorted that out after the break. We have 10 games left and we want to win them all if we can, and ask questions of the top three sides.”

Dundonald Bluebell 1

Inverkeithing 1

AFTER a poor first-half Dundonald came right back into this Premier League game and could well have taken all three points.

Swifts posed problems at Moorside and scored after half an hour when a long throw led to a scramble in the Bluebell box.

Dundonald came out for the second half in determined mood and a Jim Mackie header hit the bar, then Lewis McKenzie’s goal-bound shot was blocked by a defender.

The leveller came in the 75th minute when young substitute Jack Smith fired low into the net. Inverkeithing held on, with another Mackie header finger-tipped onto the bar by the Swifts’ ‘keeper.

The result has the ‘Bell on 31 points in eighth place. Manager Kevin Fotheringham said: “We were very poor in the first-half and hardly created a chance.

"However, the second-half was much better and we had chances to win, but we must do better in the coming weeks.”

Glenrothes 3

Lochgelly Albert 0

CONFERENCE B leaders Glenrothes had to work hard to wear down the Berts’ resistance at Warout.

Lochgelly defended well with the home team reduced to long range shots, which goalie Gregor Brown comfortably dealt with.

Glens struck the post but it was goalless until the last quarter when a long ball caught out the Albert defence for the opener.

A cross was missed by the Lochgelly defence and Glens scored their second. Pat Armour’s header produced a fine save from the home keeper but three minutes into added time the third goal arrived from a free-kick.

The result has the Berts in third bottom spot. Secretary Ian Patrick said: “The lads showed a lot of resolve and defended well. Eventually a long ball caught us out but it was a much better showing against the top team in the league.”

Fixtures: Tonight (Wednesday) – East of Scotland Qualifying Cup fourth round, Dundonald Bluebell v Syngenta 7.30pm.

Saturday – East of Scotland Premier League, Crossgates Primrose v Broxburn Athletic 2pm, Dunbar United v Dundonald Bluebell 2.30pm, Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Blackburn United 2.30pm. Conference B, Lochgelly Albert v Kinnoull 2pm, Lochore Welfare v Stirling University 2pm.