HEAVY overnight rain on Friday saw three games from Saturday’s junior card postponed, but Kelty Hearts’ important East Super League clash at Musselburgh went ahead and the village team gave their title chances a real shot in the arm by collecting a fine away win.

Elsewhere Dundonald Bluebell braved horrendous conditions in Montrose to come home with an East Super League point, while Crossgates Primrose gave a very good performance at Whitburn in the South Division.

Musselburgh Athletic 1, Kelty Hearts 2.

HEARTS came back in this game to claim what could be a vital win in their bid to take the East Super League title.

After their set-back against Armadale the previous week, Kelty wanted to start this game solidly and in the early stages Musselburgh were kept from causing too many problems.

Hearts created some good chances early on and Craig O’Reilly threatened twice as did Stuart Cargill, but in 20 minutes the Hearts’ defence was caught out by a deep cross and a glancing header went past Kyle Allison.

There was no panic in the Hearts’ ranks and again they had chances and Cargill went close before O’Reilly brought out a good save from the ‘Burgh ‘keeper.

The visitors were threatening the home defence and in 35 minutes the leveller came when Hearts won a free-kick on the edge of the Musselburgh box and Conrad Courts fired a fine shot through the defensive wall and into the net.

The second period saw Kelty have a lot of the ball and they created chances but at the other end Allison had to make a fine save in a one-on-one situation.

The visitors lost the services of O’Reilly, who had to go off after a strong challenge, but they always looked the likelier side to grab a winner and Cargill’s shot came back off the bar.

And the key moment came in 70 minutes when midfielder Shaun Greig avoided three tackles before sending a lovely shot wide of the ‘keeper.

‘Burgh tried hard to respond but by this time their front men were being well policed and Hearts made sure they held on for very handy three points.

With the Newtongrange Star being held by Fauldhouse and Boness beating Linlithgow, this was a very good result for Hearts.

Player/boss Thomas Courts (pictured above) was delighted with the response of his team to last week’s disappointment against Armadale, “The lads came out fast from the traps and had Musselburgh pegged back for long spells.

“We did miss a few chances and then lost a goal, but we just came right back at Musselburgh and levelled soon after and really should have scored at least twice more before the interval.

“The second-half saw us continue to dominate and the winner was a fine piece of work by Shaun Greig and over the piece we reached a different level in this game against a good side.

“We are in a very good position, but we know that we have to continue to collect wins in our last five games, starting with Saturday’s big derby fixture with Hill of Beath.” Montrose Rose’l 2, Dundonald Blueb’l 2.

BLUEBELL were so unlucky not to take full points from this East Premier League game at stormy Montrose.

The gale force wind made good football almost impossible but Dundonald produced what quality there was and came within seconds of winning the game.

Montrose are a very handy side on their own park and they opened the game well and the Bluebell rearguard had to be on the alert to ensure the hosts could not get the boost of a goal against the wind.

But in 15 minutes Dundonald went ahead when Lewis Elder finished a good piece of play by the visitors, with style.

However, within ten minutes a slack pass-back put Bluebell in trouble and Roslea took advantage to square the game.

Dundonald knew they needed to get another goal before the break and it came when Scott Orrick burst through and Calum Young took his pass and cleverly lobbed the ‘keeper to put the Bluebell ahead at the break.

Montrose came out for the second-half looking to quickly get back into the game but some excellent work by the Dundonald defence ensured that their chances were kept to a minimum.

Bluebell were creating the odd half chance themselves without getting the key third goal, but as the clock was running down it looked like they were going to get the result they wanted.

Then as the game went into time added on a long throw into the Bluebell box caused a goalmouth scramble and a clearance cannoned off a Dundonald defender and the ball rolled over the line.

It was a blow to Dundonald but player/boss Craig Morrison felt that while it was unfortunate, his men gave a very disciplined performance in unusual conditions.

He said, “I have never been involved in such strange gusty conditions before.

“You just never knew when a strong gust would hit the park and while the Montrose players seemed to know how to adapt to the conditions it was a real learning experience for us.

“However, over the 90 minutes we played well and there was a lot of positive stuff from us and in the end we were very unlucky to lose that late goal.

“We are still involved in the shake-up at the top of the table but it would have been nice to hang on for a win.” Whitburn 3, Crossgates Primrose 1.

BOTTOM of the South Division Primrose gave Whitburn a real run for their money in this game.

The home side, who still have hopes of being involved in the promotion battle for a Premier League place, started the game well and pressed Crossgates back but the visitors did very well, with ‘keeper Wilson pulling off several saves.

The opener eventually came with ten minutes to go before the break when a neat Whitburn move saw a good cross converted.

Only one in it at the break and Whitburn attacked strongly at the start of the second period and Wilson had to make a brave double save to keep the score at 1-0.

The hosts continued to create chances but the hard working Primrose defence and midfield was limiting the home side space and as the game went into the last quarter there was still the slimmest of margins favouring Whitburn.

However, goals in 76 and 78 minutes eased home concerns, but Crossgates were certainly not down and out and in the closing seconds substitute Jamie McNeill pulled one back with a well placed shot which crept inside the post.

It was no more than Primrose deserved for a gutsy performance.

Saturday’s fixtures, McBookie.com East Super League, Kelty Hearts v Hill of Beath Hawthorn. DFT Fife and Lothians Club, Dundonald Bluebell v Edinburgh United. McBookie.com South Division, West Calder United v Crossgates Primrose, Lochgelly Albert v Pumpherston. McBook.com North Division, Arbroath Vics v Lochore Welfare (all games 2.30pm).