SATURDAY’S downpour saw one game postponed at Lochore, and another abandoned, but for Kelty Hearts it was a great day.

They strengthened their position at the top of the Lowland League table by beating last season’s champions East Kilbride.

Kelty Hearts 1,

East Kilbride 0.

A GREAT result for Hearts who had to work really hard to earn this key win which maintains their two point lead at the top of the table.

The game was going to be tight with both teams solid defensively and in the early stages there were no real clear openings.

It took Hearts until the 25th minute to get a clear chance when Nathan Austin sent over a good cross and Cammy Russell was lying perfectly to meet it but his header was straight at the ‘keeper.

Then Ross Philp supplied Austin and his finish was going in when an EK defender appeared to boot the ball off the line.

EK came close just before the interval when a free-kick roared just wide then a minute from the break Dylan Easton fired in a low drive which saw the ‘keeper pull off a brilliant save.

No goals at the break as the rain continued to fall and four minutes after the break Scott Linton’s free-kick was met by Russell who fired just wide.

Kelty were having the better of things now and the EK ‘keeper was seeing plenty of the ball and on the hour they took the lead when the EK defence got in a fankle and Easton was fouled in the box.

It was a key moment and Linton kept his cool to shoot home from the spot.

Russell went close but EK were always looking to get back in to the game and Ben Mackenzie was on the alert a couple of times to mop up situations,

Austin threatened again for Hearts but near the end EK threatened when it took come really good work by the home rearguard to ensure victory.

Hearts are on 39 points two ahead of Bonnyrigg Rose and five ahead of East Stirling.

Hill of Beath Hawthorn 1,

Tranent 0 (match abandoned after 32 minutes).

THE heavy rain made the pitch a little sticky in the early stages of this East of Scotland Premier League game.

However, the teams ignored the overhead conditions and there were chances for both teams with the Haws looking the more dangerous.

In nine minutes they took the lead when Lewis Elder finished well and then Calum Adamson hit the Tranent bar.

The pitch was starting to suffer from the deluge and eventually the referee called a halt with 32 minutes on clock.

Haws boss John Mitchell felt it was the right decision: “The conditions were difficult but the rain never stopped and eventually the ball started not to bounce and there were puddles forming so it was very much the right decision, although obviously it was disappointing from our point of view as we had opened the game well.”

Musselburgh Athletic 2,

Dundonald Bluebell 1.

THE ‘Bell were unlucky to lose this East of Scotland Premier League game at Olivebank.

It was a tight game and both sides opened progressively and there were some good moves.

But there was controversy after 12 minutes when ‘Bell defender Colin Wilson put in what appeared to be a good challenge, as he and a Burgh forward chased a ball and Wilson knocked the ball away. However, the referee judged there to be a 'last man' offence and after he sent Wilson off the free-kick was well executed by Burgh to put them ahead.

Bluebell did not wait long to get back into the game and in 22 minutes the visitors levelled when the home defence struggled with a through ball and Stuart Cargill coolly went through and slipped the ball into the net.

The ten men were level at the break and in the second period there was a fine finish from Calum Smith which saw the home ‘keeper produce an amazing save.

Dundonald kept working really hard and denied Athletic many clear chances but with 12 minutes left the home side grabbed the winner.

A cross from the right was met by a forward who fired the ball into the ground and it raced into the corner of the net. Bluebell kept battling but could not get an equaliser.

‘Bell boss Lee Dair was frustrated at the outcome: “The sending-off was crucial. Colin got the ball but the referee seemed unsighted and it left us to play 80 minutes with ten.

“However, the application was first class from the lads and they kept at it and could have taken a point from the game.”

Newtongrange Star 2,

Crossgates Primrose 2.

THE Primrose were well worth their East of Scotland Premier League point at Nitten but they should have won it.

The first-half saw the teams battling away in pretty horrible weather but the underfoot conditions helped the defences ensure that clear openings were limited.

Scott Lawrie went close a couple of times for the visitors, but Newtongrange were looking to get forward as quickly as possible and Primrose ‘keeper Rhory Mooney made a couple of good stops.

Seven minutes from the interval Star took the lead when a fine run was completed by a Nitten forward who coolly beat Mooney.

Crossgates opened the second period well and they levelled after 52 minutes when a ball launched into the Nitten box was headed home by Sean O’Neil.

Crossgates were now thinking about grabbing a winner but in 65 minutes Star regained the lead when a low ball into the box was fired home.

Primrose kept at it and with seven minutes left a shot was blocked by the Star ‘keeper and Ryan Cowie fired in the leveller from the rebound.

The visitors finished with ten with James McAteer picking up a second yellow late on.

The result takes Primrose onto 16 points and eighth place.

Kirkcaldy and Dysart 5,

Lochgelly Albert 2.

LOCHGELLY found themselves having real defensive problems in the closing stages of this South Division fixture, with five players missing through injury.

However, new acquisitions, Liam Mann, a midfielder from Kennoway Amateurs, and defender Ben McCann, from Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts, were in the squad and things started well for the Berts with James Gunn and Lewis Connor going close.

Then in 22 minutes Sami Mitchell and Mann combined to set up Gunn who cleverly chipped the ‘keeper to put the visitors ahead.

Lochgelly were handling the conditions well at this stage but in 37 minutes Kirkcaldy levelled when a ball to the back post was knocked in.

That was it at the break, but two minutes into the second period Ryan Kinness started a good move which saw Mitchell and Mann provide the opportunity for Adam Haddow to restore their lead.

Seven minutes later Gunn’s shot was blocked on the line and then in 56 minutes a header squared the game.

Kirkcaldy and Dysart started to looked more dangerous and in 70 minutes they went ahead for the first time and eight minutes later grabbed a fourth as the Berts were caught out.

Lochgelly committed men forward to try and get back into the game but lost a fifth in the last minute.

Berts boss Andy Healy felt his young side lacked resolve late on: “We did really well for about an hour but the conditions were really difficult as the rain poured down, and in the last 20 minutes we lacked the mental attitude to stay with Kirkcaldy.

“Had James Gunn’s Gunn shot gone in rather than being cleared off the line it might have made a big difference, but it was disappointing overall.”

Saturday’s fixtures, Lowland League, Kelty Hearts v Vale of Leithen (3pm). East of Scotland Premier League, Camelon v Hill of Beath Hawthorn (1.30pm), Dundonald Bluebell v Broxburn (2.30pm), Blackburn United v Crossgates Primrose (2.30pm). Super League, Pumpherston v Lochore Welfare (1.45pm). South Division, Boness United JFC v Lochgelly Albert (1.45pm).