WINS for Dundonald Bluebell, Crossgates Primrose and Lochore Welfare saw these clubs improve their positions in their respective divisions.

Lochgelly Albert collected a point from their fixture and are well placed in the Second Division, but a defeat at Premier League leaders Penicuik left Hill of Beath Hawthorn still looking for their first win.

Blackburn United 1

Dundonald Bluebell 3

THE ‘Bell were too good for Blackburn, but they had to battle back from a goal down to get the points which moves them into sixth spot in the top division.

United had a solid season last term and finished well clear of relegation and Dundonald had to work hard in the early stages of the game to curb the home side’s enthusiasm.

However, United grabbed the lead midway through the half and continued to look dangerous but Regan Lumsden struck to put his side level at the break with a neat finish.

The ‘Bell started the second period well and took the lead when Lewis McKenzie slipped the ball into the net from close in.

It was all about the Moorsiders now and they had chances to make the points safe and the key third goal came from a Lumsden volley from just inside the box.

The win has Dundonald on six points from three games and in sixth spot and manager Stephen Husband was very pleased with the performance: “Blackburn made it a real battle but our lads had the appetite for it and showed the right attitude to win well.”

Haddington Athletic 1

Crossgates Primrose 2

PRIMROSE came back to collect all three Premier League points after losing a very early goal at newly promoted Haddington.

The Athletic had made an unbeaten start to their programme and came out of the traps fast in this one, scoring in the first minute after catching out the Crossgates defence.

It did not take long for Primrose to come back into things and they started to create chances, with David Cross firing in the leveller in eight minutes.

After this Cammy Muirhead and Craig Reid came close to putting the visitors ahead and six minutes from the break a fine piece of work by Archie Campbell put Primrose ahead at the interval.

Haddington were keen to get back into things and Primrose ‘keeper Sean Robertson had to make a couple of good stops, then late on Crossgates were down to ten when Reid received a red card but the ten men saw the game out to cement seventh spot in the table.

Penicuik Athletic 2

Hill of Beath Hawthorn 1

THE Haws have had a run of tough games to start their Premier League season and this match at the home of the top of the table side was very hard work for them.

However, Hill of Beath were very compact defensively and it meant that the Cuiky had to work hard to carve out good openings.

And indeed, at the other end Lewis Payne came close to putting Haws ahead but three minutes from the break Athletic got their noses in front when a good move down the left saw a close in finish.

The second period saw Haws keep probing and there were a couple of chances for them but with 18 minutes to go a second goal for Penicuik, from a free header, gave the visitors a very hard task.

They kept at it though and Ryan Connelly went close and in the last ten minutes Lyle Kellichan pulled one back with a fierce drive which flew into the roof of the net with but the Cuiky held on to stay joint top, although in the closing seconds Connelly appeared to be hauled down in the Penicuik box but the referee waved play on.

The result left Haws on two points from four games and manager Jason Dair was unhappy with the first hour’s work from his side: “We were not good at all in the first period or in the opening stages of the second, but we finished the game well. We need 90 minutes of the good stuff though."

Lochore Welfare 2

Coldstream 1

A TREMENDOUS last quarter of the game saw Lochore bounce back to collect three important East of Scotland First Division points.

The Borders side started the game well, against a Welfare side which had five key players on the bench who had been unavailable over the past fortnight.

However, Aaron Wood came close to the opener when his fierce shot saw the Coldstream ‘keeper made a top class save

Goalless at the break, Coldstream were the better side in the opening stages of the second and they took the lead from a free header at a corner.

Lochore brought Joe Dawson, Sean Cusick, Ethan Anderson, Euan Sutherland and Peter Thomson on and the game changed.

It was all Welfare now and a good pass from Joe Kirby set up Cusick to square the game, then the attacking midfielder sent Sutherland on a good run and he was pulled down in the Coldstream box but Kirby saw his spot-kick saved.

However, in injury time a Lochore corner was headed home by Anderson to seal the win and put the Welfare only two points behind the top three.

Welfare boss James Adam explained the tactical move: “The five guys had been unavailable for a couple of weeks so we started them on the bench, but when we went a goal down they entered the fray and did well, and it was good end to the game from us.”

Edinburgh United 1

Lochgelly Albert 1

THE Berts fought back to remain undefeated in the East of Scotland Second Division with a late leveller.

The first period was pretty tight, but Lochgelly keeper, Sam McGuffey, made two good saves to keep his side level but at the other end Lee Celentano went close.

In the second-half Martin Woods drove through the United defence and his fierce shot was pushed on to the bar by the Edinburgh ‘keeper.

Connor Spence went close for the Albert as did Celentano, but with ten minutes to go a long ball caught out the Lochgelly defence and although the United striker looked just off-side, he was allowed to run through and score.

Within four minutes the Berts were level. Stevie Stark was fouled in the United box and he got up to sink the penalty to put Lochgelly on five points from three games.

Said Albert committee man Derek Patrick: “It was good to keep the unbeaten league run going and the lads had a lot of fighting spirit.”

Fixtures: Wednesday - East of Scotland Second Division: Lochgelly Albert v Edinburgh South (7pm).

Saturday (all kick-offs 2.30pm) - East of Scotland Premier League: Dundonald Bluebell v Vale of Leithen. Traderadiators South Challenge Cup First Round - Kilsyth Rangers v Hill of Beath Hawthorn, Crossgates Primrose v Stirling University.

East of Scotland Qualifying Cup Second Round - Lochore Welfare v Lothian Thistle/Hutchie Vale.

East of Scotland Second Division - Lochgelly Albert v Craigroyston.