East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 0 Linlithgow Rose 1

BATTLING Swifts were praised for their "excellent" performance as league leaders Linlithgow Rose were pushed all the way on Saturday.

Although head coach Craig Morrison suffered his first defeat since taking charge with coaching team Iain Mauchlen and Stuart Innes, he was pleased with his team's efforts against the West Lothian side.

The visitors, who defeated Oakley United in their previous game, were seeking an eighth successive win in all competitions, having netted 26 goals in their previous seven.

However, a well-organised home side restricted their opponents for large parts of the contest, their rearguard only breached when Mark Stowe converted a penalty just after the hour mark to give Linlithgow their 15th win from 18 league games.

Morrison, who confirmed to Press Sport that he and his coaching team will continue in post for the remainder of the season, commented: "It was a sore one to take on Saturday.

"I thought the boys were excellent. Linlithgow, you know what to expect; the stats speak for themselves. They're flying.

"In recent weeks, the attitude and the way the boys have approached it has been superb. We set out with a gameplan to shut Linlithgow down, and we did it really well.

"In the first half, our keeper only had one real save to make and it was a comfortable one. Second half, again, we looked comfortable."

Morrison, who is preparing to take his side to Hill of Beath Hawthorn on Saturday, added: "We didn't create as much was we have – we had a couple of half chances – and that's something for us to think about.

"It's a testament to the boys' mindset that, when we got them in the changing room afterwards, they were frustrated and disappointed. It shows their mindset that, it doesn't matter who they play, they want to win matches, which is a positive. They've been brilliant to work with."

Meanwhile, Swifts' match at Hill of Beath Hawthorn tomorrow is subject to a 9.30am pitch inspection.

East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Oakley United 2 Haddington Athletic 3

OAKLEY UNITED fell to a sixth successive league defeat on Saturday after Haddington Athletic edged them out by the odd-goal-in-five.

Peter Goldie's side fell short against their mid-table opponents, despite fighting back from a tough start before setting up a grandstand finish.

Following a tough defeat at leaders Linlithgow Rose seven days previously, the hosts got off to the worst possible start, conceding after only three minutes when Ali Simpson headed home for Haddington.

Five minutes later, Gabri Auriemma doubled the visitors' lead, but, almost immediately, Evan Stanfield replied with a goal for Oakley.

The Blairwood Park team were back in the contest but, just after the hour mark, a penalty from Dylan Tait restored the East Lothian side's two-goal advantage.

Lewis McDonald, with two minutes to go, pulled another one back for Oakley but, despite their best efforts, they couldn't find an equaliser, and are 17 points adrift of safety.

East of Scotland League, First Division: Rosyth 1 Camelon Juniors 1

GREIG DENHAM has urged his Rosyth side to be more ruthless after he felt Camelon were 'let off the hook' on Saturday.

A tale of two penalties, and missed opportunities, denied them against the Mariners.

The hosts had already had a penalty saved by Camelon keeper Darren Dolan before he conceded a second within four minutes on the half-hour mark, allowing Jason Penman to slot home the opening goal.

Rosyth, however, failed to build on their advantage and, with 20 minutes to go, an unfortunate own goal levelled the match and ensured the points were shared.

"It was a bit frustrating. We still feel that we're letting teams off lightly," boss Denham said.

"We had enough opportunities in the first half to merit more than our 1-0 lead. It was the same in our home performances against Dunipace and Lochore (which ended 0-0 and 1-1); we had more than enough opportunities to put the game to bed. Then, the other team score, and walk away delighted with a point.

"It's a case of we're letting teams off the hook. We need to be more clinical. We're not scraping draws; we're doing more than enough to win games.

"Opportunities and chances are popping up but we're not taking advantage. We need to start being more clinical and having more belief."

Meanwhile, forward Gregg Page, who has been with Rosyth since 2015, has completed a move to Lochore Welfare.

Saturday's fixtures (all kick-offs 2.30pm unless stated):– East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts (subject to a 9.30am pitch inspection), Oakley United v Blackburn United. First Division: Dunipace v Rosyth. East of Scotland Cup, semi-final: Kelty Hearts v Gala Fairydean Rovers (3pm).