Deasley double sets up Bluebells win at Swifts

Lochee move second with comfortable victory at Jeanfield

Lochee United eased their way to a 4-0 win away to Jeanfield Swifts to move up to second in the table.

Bryan Deasley opened the scoring from a 27th minute penalty and doubled the lead shortly after the hour. Paddy Deane added a third midway through the second half with substitute Connor Birse netting a fourth five minutes from time.

Battling Broughty became only the fourth side to deny undefeated visitors Bonnyrigg Rose victory.

Before the game, Fed boss Jim Finlayson had called on his team to work hard and keep their shape and the players responded in the 0-0 draw.

“They did all that I asked of them by working their socks off and fully deserved to take something from the game,” said Finlayson.

It was only the second time this season that the visitors had failed to score.

Dundonald Bluebell were convincing 4-1 winners at home to Camelon to keep them on the coat-tails of the leading four clubs.

Louis McKenzie, John Martin, Calum Smith and Colin Wilson were the Bluebell marksmen.

There was disappointment for Carnoustie who returned from Sauchie empty-handed, leaving the Gowfers ruing missed chances. The game was decided by the only goal of the game, a first-half penalty converted by Paddy Conway.

Despite the defeat, manager Alan McSkimming could take some positives with Derek Paterson and Luke McGeehan’s return, but on the down side the latter had to replace Sam Simpson who sustained a bad ankle injury.

Preston field is normally a happy hunting ground for Hill of Beath, but on this occasion they were on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline and finished the game with nine men with the dismissals of Aaron Hay and John McCulloch.

A deflected Owen Ronald shot separated the sides at the break, but late goals from Aiden Malone and Tommy Coyne banked the points that enabled Rose to stretch their lead at the top to four points.

It was an afternoon to forget for Kennoway Star Hearts who were hit for six at Newtongrange Star. Kieran Band got a consolation counter.

Richard Wiseman. Action from Broughty’s creditable draw with Bonnyrigg.