East Stirling 3 Kelty Hearts 2

SFA South Region Challenge Cup, third round

A DIFFICULT 48 hours for Kelty Hearts ended with cup disappointment as East Stirlingshire edged a five-goal thriller on Saturday.

The New Central Park outfit travelled across the Kincardine Bridge to take on their Lowland League rivals at the Falkirk Stadium and play for the first time since the shock resignation of manager Thomas Courts.

After guiding Kelty to the top of the Lowland League Courts, who penned a new, long-term deal last summer and will be granted a testimonial for his service as both a player and as boss, left his role last Thursday.

Coaches Murray McDowell and Dave McNeely took caretaker charge and were looking to extend Hearts’ unbeaten run, stretching to 11 games in all competitions since a 3-2 loss at Cumbernauld Colts in August.

They had also beaten the Shire on home turf on league duty last month and made the perfect start with just two minutes on the clock.

A quickly-taken free-kick by Conrad Courts was played to Stephen Husband, whose deep cross from the right was palmed by goalkeeper Jamie Barclay onto the head of Ciaren Chalmers, whose effort was judged to have crossed the line despite desperate home attempts to clear.

Chalmers’ goal remained the difference between the sides until the 60th minute when, after a well-worked move, Shire played the ball forward to Steven Brisbane, whose cushioned lay-off was perfect for Paul McCafferty to fire beyond the helpless Scott Christie.

The hosts then turned the contest on its head when McCafferty’s deep free-kick into the box led to a scramble in the six yard area and, despite Christie’s best efforts, Andy Rodgers was on hand to poke the ball into the net.

With five minutes left, Kelty’s fate was all-but-sealed when Adam Murray’s cross from the left to the edge of the box was seized upon by Rodgers, who took advantage of a slip by Murray Carstairs to drill the ball underneath the goalkeeper.

Although Stuart Cargill took advantage of a defensive error to steal in and slide home a second for the visitors immediately from the kick-off, Kelty couldn’t find a leveller.

Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 2 Preston Athletic 4

A LATE rally was not enough for Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts as they were edged out by Preston Athletic in a keenly-contested cup tie at Ballast Bank.

Lee Duffy’s team had run their fellow East of Scotland League, Conference C, opponents close on league duty last month, only to lose 5-3, but despite their best efforts, came up short once more in their latest meeting.

Swifts, who are bottom of their division after losing each of their six games so far, had hoped for some cup cheer after being defeated 4-1 at home by Blackburn United in their previous fixture.

However, things didn’t start well for the hosts as they fell behind after just five minutes, but Craig Morrison popped up with an equaliser just after the half hour to give Duffy’s men cause for optimism.

But Preston struck again just before half-time and added a third in the second half for what appeared to be a goal that killed off home hopes of a comeback.

With a minute to go, Callum Murray halved the arrears to set the scene for a grandstand finish, but a fourth goal for the visitors in stoppage time sent them safely into the next round.

Rosyth 6 West Calder United 5

Fife and Lothians Cup

BRIAN MUIRHEAD says he’s looking for defensive reinforcements despite his side coming out on top in a remarkable match at the Fleet Grounds.

The teams shared an astonishing 11 goals during the 90 minutes but, while his Rosyth men got the decisive strike, Muirhead was far from happy with their efforts at the other end.

This goal-feast began in the seventh minute when the visitors took the lead thanks to Ross Morrison’s crisp strike, but the hosts responded in the 18th minute thanks to top scorer Tam Hampson’s header.

Just 60 seconds later, Cameron Ballantyne headed the visitors back in front but, with just a quarter of the game gone, Gregg Page’s superb shot from distance brought Rosyth level for a second time.

A penalty from Hampson then put them in front but, in a topsy-turvy clash, West Calder themselves netted from 12 yards thanks to Jordan Devine to ensure the teams went into the break level.

Shortly after the re-start the teams traded goals in the space of a minute – with Page netting for Rosyth – before strikes from Hampson, securing his hat-trick, and Scott Gilfillan gave the hosts breathing space.

Although Ryan Donn’s header in stoppage time pulled West Calder to within one, Muirhead’s team held on, but he said: “We look dangerous every time we cross the halfway line, but at the same time when they cross the halfway line, I have to look away.

“We had no silly bookings this week, which I was pleased about, but we’re timid in defence and I’m going to have to strengthen in that area.

“The players all know their jobs, and they’re all good players, but we’re conceding goals too easily and my priority over the next four weeks is to try and bring two or three players in that area.”

Muirhead was, however, full of praise for his attackers, and added: “Our front two are on fire – we’ve got three really good strikers – and, every week, the four midfielders I pick put an absolute shift in.

“Gregg Page is making Tam’s job easier; his movement off the ball and his work-rate is fantastic, but with my back five, it’s hard to explain.

“I’m happy with the score but, defensively, we were terrible.”

Saturday’s fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm unless stated): William Hill Scottish Cup, second round - Peterhead v Kelty Hearts (3pm). East of Scotland Football League, Conference A - Oakley United v Penicuik Athletic. Conference C - Ormiston v Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts. McBookie.com Premier League South - Armadale Thistle v Rosyth.