Oakley United 1 Crossgates Primrose 2, East of Scotland League, Premier Division

ARCHIE CAMPBELL was the derby day hero as high-flying Crossgates Primrose edged out Oakley United on Saturday.

With seven minutes to go, the experienced forward curled in from the left-edge of the penalty area to secured a hard-fought three points for Alan Campbell's side, who proudly sit third in the table.

The loss was, however, hard to take for Peter Goldie's side, who remain second bottom with no points on the board from 17 games, having had three points from a win over Vale of Leithen, who are beneath them on goal difference, docked for fielding an ineligible player in a later match.

Crossgates came into the game having begun the new year with wins at Vale of Leithen, in the league, and at Dunbar United, in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, third round, as well as having drawn at Penicuik Athletic in their previous outing.

The visitors, who started new loan signing from Open Goal Broomhill, Jacob Glass, who had spent the second half of last term at Humbug Park, and had another loan recruit, Jay Sutherland, on the bench, took the lead in the 18th minute thanks to Craig Reid.

Oakley, however, rallied after the break and, with 15 minutes to go, pulled themselves level thanks to Finlay Goodlad.

However, just when it seemed they might pick up a point, Campbell intervened to net Primrose's winner.

"That's four away games, three wins and a draw, and it keeps the momentum going," boss Campbell said.

"I thought it was a typical derby game. There was a lot of tackles flying in, both teams going for it, and just relieved and happy that we came out on top in the end.

"I think the first half we probably had most of the play, got ahead, probably should have had a second goal; I thought we were just not clinical enough at the end of the first half.

"To be fair to Oakley, I have to give them a lot of credit, I thought they came out at us in the second half. They pressed us all over the pitch. The conditions were really poor; the pitch was heavy, there was a driving wind and rain, and we got hemmed in for 10-15 minutes.

"We lost a goal from a set play but I thought the guys, after that, showed our resolve, showed our character, and I thought in the last 10 or 15 minutes, we started to get going again, and we managed to get the winner.

"Again, late on in the game, I thought we could've maybe the scoreline a bit more comfortable - we were a bit wasteful again - but just to come out with the three points, it's another good win, another good result, so I was really happy."

Despite the defeat, the Blairwood Park hosts are remaining upbeat with Craig Cowan, a member of the club's committee, insisting there is "no panic" over their position.

"I thought, at the weekend, we were unlucky," he said.

"We played pretty well, and we have been. We went to sleep at certain times, and got punished.

"In the second half, we came out and gave them a right good game, but it is a young team. If you take away individual mistakes, we've been in games.

"For 35 minutes against Musselburgh (Oakley's previous match), were in the game, but we lost three goals before half-time and, because they're inexperienced, their heads went down.

"We're fairly positive. The youth teams are coming up; our under-20s are doing ok, and there is a genuine pathway. We had four boys under 20 playing on Saturday, which shows it is working.

"It's a transition season for us."

Saturday's fixtures: East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Crossgates Primrose v Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts (2pm), Oakley United v Jeanfield Swifts (2.30pm). First Division: Luncarty v Rosyth (2pm).