Burnie boost hopes of avoiding drop

Blackburn United picked up a stunning 2-1 away victory over East of Scotland Premier Division title chasers Penicuik Athletic to boost their survival hopes.

The two sides met last week with Cuikie sealing victory by the same score in West Lothian but Callum Heath proved the late hero for the Burnie as they moved to within a point of Hill of Beath, who sit directly outside the relegation zone.

Elsewhere, it was goals aplenty as the League Cup group section got underway. Armadale Thistle and Fauldhouse United both defeated higher league opposition 1-0 away from home while Livingston United and Pumpherston both battled hard in home losses.

United went down 3-1 to Premier Division outfit Crossgates while Pumphy were edged out 2-1 against Heriot-Watt University.

The two Group J games brought about 13 goals as Linlithgow Rose let slip a 3-1 lead against Division One side Dalkeith Thistle, ultimately losing 4-3.

West Calder United rescued a 3-3 draw at home to Luncarty with Gordon Wilson netting a late free-kick to ensure a share of the spoils while Whitburn suffered a 3-2 loss at home to Edinburgh United.

FIXTURES

East of Scotland Conference X:

PUMPHERSTON v ARMADALE THISTLE, STONEYBURN v Syngenta, WEST CALDER UNITED v LIVINGSTON UNITED, WHITBURN v FAULDHOUSE UNITED (all 2.30pm).

East of Scotland League Cup: Preston Athletic v BATHGATE THISTLE, BROXBURN ATHLETIC v Craigroyston, BLACKBURN UNITED v Dalkeith Thistle, Luncarty v LINLITHGOW ROSE (all 2.30pm).

West of Scotland Division Four: Finnart v HARTHILL ROYAL (2pm).

Tuesday, March 15: BLACKBURN UNITED v LINLITHGOW ROSE (7.30pm).