Crossgates Primrose 2, Dundonald Bluebell 1, East of Scotland League, League Cup first round; Sauchie Juniors 2 Crossgates Primrose 1, East of Scotland Qualifying Cup, fourth round

THERE were contrasting fortunes in two separate cup competitions over the space of three days for Crossgates Primrose.

Alan Campbell's side enjoyed derby day delight on Saturday when they knocked Dundonald Bluebell out of the East of Scotland League, League Cup, at Humbug Park, but suffered late disappointment in the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup at Sauchie Juniors on Tuesday evening.

A large crowd of 186 were in attendance for the first of Primrose's cup double-header, after the game was given the go-ahead following a pitch inspection 90 minutes before kick-off, and saw former Pars and Kelty Hearts star Stephen Husband's Bluebell catch the visitors cold inside 16 SECONDS.

Ross Drummond put the visitors ahead but Crossgates responded to that setback, pulling level just after the half hour mark thanks to Cammy Muirhead.

The experienced Scott Lawrie scored the decisive goal with 21 minutes to go, sending Campbell's team into the second round, where they will be at home to Thornton Hibs.

"I thought we played really well," the Humbug boss said.

"We lost a really early goal. Somebody said it was about 16 seconds; they took centre, ran through and scored!

"The players reacted really well to that. We scored a good equaliser, and I thought we were the better team first half, but they looked more likely at the start of the second.

"We got the second goal, but they're a good side, and they put a lot of crosses into the box. We defended really well and looked a threat on the counter. It was a good win."

Primrose are currently sixth in the East of Scotland League, Premier Division, with leaders Linlithgow Rose 10 points clear of second top Jeanfield Swifts, and 18 ahead of Crossgates, with Campbell acknowledging that the League Cup has become a "real priority" for the club.

Their hopes, however, of progressing beyond the fourth round of the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup were dashed by the concession of a late winner to Sauchie on Tuesday - and a missed penalty to take the game into extra-time.

In the third meeting of the teams this season - the Clackmannanshire side won the previous two, in the league, by a 2-1 scoreline - Archie Campbell struck with just five minutes on the block to give Crossgates the ideal start at Beechwood Park.

Danny Smith, however, pulled the hosts level nine minutes before the break and, with four minutes to go, he lashed in a second to give them the initiative.

In the final minute, though, Crossgates were awarded a penalty but, to their frustration, Muirhead sent it over the bar as Sauchie progressed.

"To be honest, for a neutral, it was a really enjoyable game," Campbell continued.

"It was a typical cup tie, played on a heavy pitch, under the lights. We had spells on top, they had spells on top, we had chances, they had chances, and it came down to a couple of moments.

"Their number 10 (Smith) scored two really good goals. Sometimes you just have to hold your hand up to a bit of quality.

"I was a bit disappointed with our finishing. We had three chances in the first half, and we should have taken every one, and, in the second half, I couldn't believe the number of good areas we got into.

"The guys were a bit flat in the dressing room that we didn't take it to extra-time. The performance was there; it was just those final moments that was the difference.

Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts and Oakley United saw their matches, at Hill of Beath Hawthorn and at home to Penicuik Athletic respectively, called off.

Saturday's fixtures (kick offs 2.30pm unless stated): East of Scotland League, Premier Division: Crossgates Primrose v Blackburn United, Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Vale of Leithen (2pm), Oakley United v Hill of Beath Hawthorn. First Division: Glenrothes v Rosyth