William Hill Scottish Cup, first round:

Dalbeattie Star 0 Kelty Hearts 0

THOMAS COURTS insists his players aren't looking beyond this Saturday's replay despite knowing the identity of their potential second round opponents.

Kelty Hearts and Dalbeattie Star will resume battle in the William Hill Scottish Cup at New Central Park following a hard-fought stalemate in Kirkcudbrightshire, a result that meant the Lowland League rivals were both in the hat for the second round draw.

That paired the winners of this tie with SPFL League Two promotion-chasers Peterhead at Balmoor on October 20 and Courts is anticipating a "special occasion" for the club's supporters as they attempt to reach round two for the first time.

"I think it will be a special occasion for the Kelty Hearts supporters, who I must give a special mention to as they've turned out in big numbers on the road this season," he said.

"We both know what's at stake. It's a nice carrot to represent the Lowland League against Peterhead, and take on the challenge of playing a League Two side that are among the favourites for promotion.

"We were sitting having a refreshment with Dalbeattie Star when the draw was made. It's great for both clubs but I don't think either team will cast their eye too far ahead.

"We've got a slight advantage, being at home, and it'll be a different team to what they encountered in the first game of the season."

On that occasion, the clubs drew 2-2 and they couldn't be separated again on Saturday at Islecroft.

In a first half of few chances, Errol Douglas came close for the visitors but, after the break, Scott Taylor-Mackenzie was on hand to produce a well-timed block from Lewis Todd.

Opportunities were few and far between, and Courts continued: "Saturday was a typical cup tie, full of effort and commitment. Both teams played quite narrow and cancelled each other out.

"It was a good draw. There were moments where they had pressure but we didn't buckle and stood very firm together. We'd have liked to create more chances and use the width more but in any cup competition, it's about staying in the hat and we did that.

"Getting wide and putting crosses into the box is one thing people have associated with Kelty Hearts in recent years but I think we have a few things up our sleeve, which could involve team selection or a slight change in shape.

"Dalbeattie Star are a good team and have some good players so it's shaping up to be an exciting tie."

East of Scotland League, Conference A:

Oakley United 1 Newtongrange Star 4

OAKLEY UINITED boss Richard Fox bemoaned his side's bad luck after they lost to Newtongrange Star on Saturday.

The Blairwood Park men, who played for much of the second half with 10 men after Euan McMillan was dismissed for two bookings, were on the end of a scoreline that Fox felt flattered the visitors, who went top.

In an even opening, Star took the lead on 31 minutes when Kyle Scott fired home from just inside the penalty area before a big slice of fortune fell their way four minutes from the break.

In controlling the ball with what Fox was adamant was his chest, McMillan was penalised – and subsequently booked – for handball inside the box, which allowed Dale O'Hara to double the visitors' lead.

Although James McAteer pulled a goal back just before the break, McMillan was red-carded after contesting a 50-50 ball and left Oakley open as they chased the game.

George Hunter scored a third in 61 minutes and, although Dale Richardson added a fourth 11 minutes from time, of greater concern to the home side was a knee injury sustained by centre back Dan Greig.

"Dan is the one we're waiting on, so we just have to keep our fingers crossed," Fox said.

"If there's any bad luck going, we seem to be finding it just now. This year has been unbelievable – I've probably played more than 10 players at the back – and on Saturday again we had a few players out. It wasn't our normal back four; you can't legislate for it.

"I believe that if we'd kept 11 men on the park, we would've gone on to win the game, but that's football. We need to dust ourselves down and go again on Saturday."

He added: "The next few weeks are big for us. We need to get some points on the board and, from the next seven games, I'm looking for at least seven points."

Conference C:

Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 3 Preston Athletic 5

NEW Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts manager Lee Duffy believes his side are showing encouraging signs despite losing to Preston Athletic on Saturday.

Despite their best efforts, the Swifts were unable to make it two wins in a row despite taking the lead against Preston at Ballast Bank.

Scott Russell put them ahead early on but a hat-trick from Scott Walker and a strike from Mikey McFarlane put the visitors 4-1 up at the break.

Brodie Hamilton's fine free kick made it 4-2 before Jonny Grotlin and Russell swapped goals to complete the scoring.

Duffy said: "We didn't really start in the first half, but in the second we showed what we can do. It's about managing the game from the first minute to the 90th.

"It's been a bit of an eye-opener, but in a good way, in terms of the work that needs done."

McBookie.com Premier League South:

Pumpherston 4 Rosyth 1

ROSYTH manager Brian Muirhead felt his side gave league leaders Pumpherston too much respect as they crashed to defeat in West Lothian.

Despite going into the half-time break level after the division's top scorer, Tam Hampson, cancelled out the hosts' opener, two goals in three second-half minutes, added to by a strike in the final minute, sealed victory for the hosts.

Muirhead will look to pick his squad up ahead of their Junior Cup clash at Newmains but said: "I didn't think we ever looked like we were going to win. The score flatters us.

"We didn't perform and I felt that some of the guys didn't believe that we could go there and turn them over.

"They're a good side and we were well beaten, so I've no complaints, but we didn't turn up. We looked a wee bit afraid and you can't be afraid of anyone on a football park.

"The good thing is that we've got the Scottish Cup this week, which is a break from the norm, and it will give me a chance to give some guys who maybe need it a run-out."

Saturday's fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm unless stated): William Hill Scottish Cup, first round replay – Kelty Hearts v Dalbeattie Star (3pm). East of Scotland League, Conference A – Oakley United v Musselburgh Athletic. Conference B – Dalkeith Thistle v Crossgates Primrose. Football Nation Qualifying Cup, second round – Peebles Rovers v Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts. Macron Scottish Junior Cup, first round – Newmains United v Rosyth.