Three cup finals left for title hopefuls

Cargill completes century of goals for Kelty Hearts as Fife side take step closer to Super League glory

Leaders Kelty Hearts had to come from behind to defeat Bo’ness on Saturday and take another step closer to the title.

Fraser Keast gave the visitors the lead after only two minutes but the Fifers hit back through Stuart Cargill, with his 100th goal for the club, before Brian Ritchie hit the second-half winner to celebrate his 150th appearance.

After the dust had settled, player-boss Tam Courts labelled it a real team performance which leaves them with three cup finals left if they are to win the title.

Dundonald Bluebell’s season ended badly with a 4-0 defeat away to Bonnyrigg Rose, who maintained their hopes of usurping Kelty to the title.

It wasn’t quite as straightforward as the scoreline would suggest because 51 minutes had elapsed before Kieran McGachie beached the visitors’ defence.

Thereafter, there was no stopping the hosts. Ewan Moyes headed a second 10 minutes later with Wayne McIntosh adding the third and Lewis Turner grabbing a fourth in the final minute.

Broughty Athletic were woeful as they slumped to a 6-1 defeat to Broxburn – their heaviest of the season – at Whitton Park.

It started badly for the hosts as they went two behind inside 10 minutes. Defensive woes continued to plague them as they found themselves four behind just before the hour-mark.

Paul McLellan did pull one back after 69 minutes but two further goals were conceded to compound a miserable afternoon for the Fed.

Carnoustie suffered a third successive defeat when Jeanfield Swifts defeated them 1-0 at Laing Park. It was the visitors’ sixth match without defeat and greatly enhances their chances of avoiding the drop.

Goalless at the interval, Swifts were awarded a penalty after John Anderson was pulled down and Tony Holt made no mistake from the spot.

Anderson was then dismissed after collecting a second yellow card but the Perth side held out for three precious points.

Hill of Beath were beaten 2-0 at home by Penicuik, leaving Haws still hovering above the drop zone.

Andy Forbes got Cuikie’s opener after 17 minutes and sealed victory with his second of the match after 76 minutes.

Newtongrange Star kept their hopes of survival alive with a 2-1 win away to Lochee United, but it was a close-run thing in the end. Nitten got their noses in front when Gary Hamilton powered home a header just before the break.

Kyle Lander swept home a second 10 minutes after the restart.

Scott McComiskie reduced the leeway in the last minute and there was still enough time left for him to hit the post – but Lochee’s late comeback was all in vain. Premier League Forfar West End completed their campaign with a stylish 3-0 home victory over champions-elect Sauchie.

Connor Ireland put West End ahead after 20 minutes and Graeme Hart doubled it midway through the second half, with Ireland getting the third with his second.

West End are second – two points behind table-topping Kennoway Star Hearts – and if they are to be promoted it will almost certainly be via the play-offs.

Sauchie are third but are only seven points behind the Angus side and have six games still to play, so the Beechwood outfit are unlikely to miss out.

It finished goalless at the Canniepairt between Tayport and Glenrothes, leaving the home side frustrated after having the better of the chances in a dour contest.

Port finished the game with 10 men after Ostrovskis was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card.

The best chance of the game fell to Tayport 10 minutes from time when Dale Reid was felled in the box by Glens keeper Small, but the keeper atoned for his indiscretion by saving Marc Ogg’s spot-kick.

St Andrews’ hopes of survival suffered a major setback when they went down 3-1 at home to Downfield.

Whitburn’s 4-2 win at Haddington left Saints only two points ahead of the Lothian side who have four games left to play.

Spiders’ scorers were Ross Gallacher, Marc O’Leary and Dominic Blair, with an Aiden Hendry penalty counting for Saints. The Fifers had Jason Quinn and Michael Flemming sent off.

After losing 5-1 at Tranent, Violet’s place in the second tier looks at an end.

The Pansies went ahead through Craig Batchelor but defensive lapses led to the hosts responding with five goals to leave the Glenesk club doomed to the drop.