Early goal burst lets Port relax

A sensational start in which Tayport scored four times in the opening 25 minutes ensured there was no way back for visitors Dalkeith Thistle.

Gary Sutherland opened the scoring after 10 minutes and Dale Reid converted a penalty five minutes later.

Reid scored his second after 21 minutes with Sutherland doing likewise a few minutes later and with the points in the bag so early, Port were able to play out the rest of the match in relaxed fashion.

At Barnetts Park, Glenrothes ended St Andrews United’s six-match unbeaten league run with a deserved 4-2 victory.

Ahead at the break thanks to a Graeme Walker header just after Lee Celentano had missed a penalty, the Glens surged into a three-goal lead with just over an hour gone, Walker again and James Leslie on target.

Goals for Saints from Scott Lawrie and Jack Wilson, a new signing from Kelty Hearts, made it a nervy last few minutes for Willie Campbell’s side, but Darren Ormiston’s stoppage time strike killed home hopes.

Thornton Hibs slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Blackburn United but had stand-in goalkeeper Matthew Clark to thank for still being in the game at half-time.

He was only beaten by Richard Hutton just before the break. Hibs enjoyed far greater possession thereafter, but lacked any cutting edge, with Nathan Feeley hitting the post two minutes from time the nearest they came.

Kirrie Thistle lost at home to the only goal of the game, with Bathgate Thistle the inhospitable guests. John-James Henderson was the visitors’ marksman.

Kirrie will be hoping that striker Abi Njie, who made his debut after joining them in a swap deal with Scone Thistle which saw Adam Braid heading to Farquharson Park, will provide the answer to their scoring woes.

Unbeaten leaders Musselburgh survived a late scare to edge out Downfield 3-2 at Olivebank. Going into the last five minutes, the hosts led through goals from Gary Cherrie and a Matti King double. But strikes from Marc O’Leary and Ross Gallacher had the home side briefly sweating.