United jump out of the relegation zone

Blackburn United climbed out of the East of Scotland Premier Division relegation zone thanks to a crucial 2-1 home win over Hill of Beath Hawthorn - who slipped into the bottom three as a result.

Goals early on in both halves proved the difference with Laurie Devine opening the scoring on seven minutes before Kyle Sampson doubled the home side’s lead just three minutes after the interval from the penalty spot.

Haws made it a nervy finish as James Harley pulled one back on 88 minutes but United were able to see out the final moments for what could prove to be a pivotal three points.

Ricky Orr, Keiran Sweeney and Ryan Cumming were the goalscorers as Pumpherston made it back-to-back wins in the Third Division with a 3-1 home triumph in their derby clash with Livingston United while Stoneyburn lost 4-0 to Edinburgh College.

In the Second Division, Whitburn suffered only their second league loss of the season as they went down 3-0 away to Arniston Rangers.

It wasn’t the best of weeks for West Lothian clubs involved in cup action as Broxburn Athletic, Fauldhouse United and Linlithgow Rose all made a fourth round exit in the South Challenge Cup.

The Brox were well in their tie away to Auchinleck Talbot at half-time but shipped six goals in the second-half as they went down 7-0 while the Hoose were always likely to be up against it at home to EoS top flight Sauchie with the visitors winning 5-0.

The Rose suffered a 3-1 reverse to Lowland League side Tranent with Gary

Thom netting Rose’s equaliser.

On Tuesday night, however, they booked their place in the East of Scotland Cup final with a 3-1 home win over FC Edinburgh.

A double from Sandy Cunningham was added to by Mark Stowe as the hosts defeated the League One side.

In the first round of the King Cup, Armadale Thistle squeezed past Burntisland thanks to a 1-0 away win with Tomas Murphy’s goal being the difference while Harthill Royal lost 2-0 at Stirling University.