William Hill Scottish Cup, second round:

Peterhead 3 Kelty Hearts 2

CARETAKER boss Murray McDowell was left feeling proud of Kelty Hearts after they pushed SPFL League Two promotion-chasers Peterhead all the way on Saturday.

With new boss Barry Ferguson not taking over until Tuesday, coaches McDowell and Dave McNeely – who will work alongside the former Scotland captain and his assistant Bob Malcolm – took the team for their historic second round clash at Balmoor.

The tie marked the first time that Kelty had progressed beyond the first round in the competition and, although Jim McNally's Blue Toon eventually won through to play Greenock Morton, the Lowland League leaders could hold their heads high after a valiant effort.

They made the worst possible start, however, after just eight minutes when Conrad Courts' attempt to play the ball back to goalkeeper Scott Christie was seized upon by Russell McLean, who advanced into the box before sending a fine shot into the far corner of the net.

But Kelty responded in fine style midway through the first half when Stephen Husband's superb free kick to the back post was met by Ciaren Chalmers, who made no mistake with a header from close range.

They did, however, survive two close calls after the break when prolific home hitman Rory McAllister had a header disallowed for offside, before watching a header strike the frame of the goal.

The Hearts defence though was breached for a second time with 16 minutes to go when McAllister nodded home.

With a minute to go, Peterhead sealed the tie when Derek Lyle headed Jamie Stevenson's corner well into the top corner, despite Matthew Gay flicking home another Husband set-piece for Kelty.

McDowell said: "The media hysteria at the club on Thursday was crazy and rightly so because Barry (Ferguson) is one of the most recognised Scottish footballers of all time for what he did at Rangers.

"He is taking over a good side here and had this tie been played at our place, I think we would have won, I really do.

"But I am proud of the guys because they have given their all and it was just a couple of individual mistakes which have cost us by players who are the most reliable at the club.

"Sometimes you make mistakes and you don’t get punished but we did because of Peterhead’s quality up top.

"They have players at the top end of the pitch who could easily be playing in the Championship."

East of Scotland Football League, Conference A:

Oakley United 1 Penicuik Athletic 4

OAKLEY UNITED are looking for a new manager after parting company with Richard Fox in the wake of Saturday's defeat to Penicuik Athletic.

The former Clyde under-20s coach, who replaced Lee Richardson at the Blairwood Park helm in January, left his position after what the club stated was "due to recent performances and current league position".

Fox, however, has told Press Sport that he offered to resign two weeks ago "due to personal reasons as well as results" but saw it turned down by the club's committee, after which a meeting to determine a way forward was held after their last game, a 3-2 defeat at Coldstream, on October 6.

But, after just one more game against the league leaders, Fox was on his way out of Oakley after just 10 months.

During that time, he steered the club to fourth place in last season's East Region junior South Division after a run of 11 wins, one draw and one defeat in 13 games, before they made the move into the East of Scotland League for this campaign.

They have picked up just four points from their opening eight games to sit second-bottom of the table, and the club said: "Due to recent performances and current league position, Oakley United are parting company with manager Richard Fox.

"Everyone at the club would like to thank Richard for all he has done since joining us and we wish him all the best for the future."

But Fox commented: "After finishing last season with 11 wins, one draw and one defeat, confidence was high going into this season, but how quickly things change.

"After suffering what can only be described as the worst run of injuries, holidays, illnesses and stag weekends I can remember, which led to us being so short that I had to play, results were always going to suffer, especially after having six of our seven signed defenders unavailable for the vast majority of the season.

"Unfortunately, with all of those players missing, we could not build a foundation to the team that would allow the players to play open and attacking football.

"Two weeks ago, I offered to resign due to personal reasons as well as results, but this was declined and after a clear-the-air meeting with the committee and players, we agreed a way forward. Then, two weeks later after only one more game against the league leaders, the committee have made this decision.

"Good luck to the players for the rest of the season."

In Fox's final match, Oakley started well and were in front inside two minutes when James McAteer lashed home a fine strike from the edge of the box.

But their lead was short-lived as Wayne McIntosh headed the visitors level three minutes later before Ryan Stevenson's unfortunate own goal just before the hour mark turned the game on its head.

McIntosh notched his second shortly afterwards to give Penicuik breathing space, and their seventh win from as many games was wrapped up when Sam Jones drove home a fine first-time shot.

Conference C:

Ormiston 3 Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 4

INVERKEITHING Hillfield Swifts registered their first league victory at the seventh attempt thanks to a thrilling success at Ormiston.

Having lost each of their first six games, the Ballast Bank club fought back from a half-time deficit to take home their first points of the campaign.

Lee Duffy's side found themselves came back from losing 3-2 to win thanks to a Ryan Cowie double and individual efforts from Stuart Simpson and Callum Murray.

Duffy said: "In the second half, there was a bit of a rallying call and it was the biggest impact for a long time in terms of the determination and character of the boys. They dug it out and got the win, and now we'll work to take that on to the Craigroyston game on Saturday."

McBookie.com Premier League South:

Armadale Thistle 1 Rosyth 2

ROSYTH warmed up for their Scottish Junior Cup tie this weekend by picking up a fine victory at second-top Armadale Thistle on Saturday.

Goals from Craig Fraser and Gregg Page gave them victory and boss Brian Muirhead said "It was a fantastic result. We lost an important player before kick-off, and another 15-20 minutes in, but we knew if we could keep them quiet for the first 15-20 minutes, we'd be alright.

"I drummed it into them before the game that they had to win their individual battles and, to a man, they responded. We defended much better and I couldn't ask for much more in terms of the effort they put in."

l Saturday's fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm unless stated): Lowland League – Kelty Hearts v Gala Fairydean (3pm). East of Scotland League, Conference A – Oakley United v Hawick Royal Albert. Conference B – Crossgates Primrose v Burntisland Shipyard. Conference C – Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Craigroyston. Scottish Junior Cup, third round – Bridge of Don Thistle v Rosyth.