Tynecastle 0 Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 1

East of Scotland League, Premier Division

SWIFTS boss Jason McCrindle heaped praise on his players for earning the "best win" of his tenture so far at Tynecastle.

Ryan Cowie's goal 10 minutes into the second half proved decisive in favour of the visitors, who have moved 10 points clear of the drop zone after a third win in the four games McCrindle has been in charge for.

"The guys were phenomenal, absolutely outstanding," he told Press Sport.

"We spoke prior to the game and what we had to do to go and achieve and what we did, and they went out and did it.

"It was hard, hard work, on a heavy pitch, and the guys thoroughly deserved their win. That's three in four league games, and it's probably the best win so far."

The result came on the back of their first defeat under McCrindle, a 7-1 loss at Hutchison Vale, and he continued: "The biggest compliment we got on Saturday was from their manager, about how hard we worked, and that we deserved it. I'm absolutely delighted for the players.

"It's so pleasing. That's nine points out of a possible 12, and we've had three clean sheets as well. The players have been excellent for us.

"The guys are now going out onto the pitch believing they can win games, and have a determination not to concede.

"We played really, really well in the first half, and the minimum we were coming away with on Saturday was a point. They went out and made it was three.

"Their ability will always win them games but, if they work as hard as they are, they'll win even more."

Lochore Welfare 3 Oakley United 1

East of Scotland League, First Division

PETER GOLDIE described Saturday's derby day defeat as "disappointing" but said Oakley United will regroup for the start of their King Cup campaign this weekend.

Following the postponement of their previous scheduled outing, at home to Kirkcaldy and Dysart, the Blairwood Park outfit were looking to make it two wins on the bounce after defeating Rosyth in their last match.

However, two goals inside the opening 11 minutes put Lochore Welfare in control, and they went on to collect three points at Central Park.

Dunfermline Press: Oakley United lost out to Lochore Welfare on Saturday.Oakley United lost out to Lochore Welfare on Saturday. (Image: David Wardle.)

Calum Murray and Joe Kirby put the hosts in a commanding position but Oakley, after "stern words" at the interval, pulled a goal back through Tommy Simpson.

Logan Donaldson, though, sealed the win for Lochore, and Goldie commented: "I was disappointed on Saturday as we never started the first half, and gifted Lochore a two-goal lead within the first 10 minutes through errors of our own.

"It was always going to be a battle, as Lochore isn't an easy place to go for any team. A few stern words were said at half-time and we got a reaction in the second half, creating a lot more chances. If it wasn't for some good saves from the home team's goalie, we could have been level on the hour mark.

"I said to the lads at full-time they should be disappointed with the performance in the first half as we can't not turn up for the first 45 minutes and expect to get something from the game.

"We will regroup and go again this week in the cup (against Hawick Royal Albert) and, with a few home league games coming up after that, we need to ensure we are picking up some much needed points from those games."

Kirkcaldy and Dysart 2 Rosyth 0

East of Scotland League, First Division

STEVIE CRAWFORD says his Rosyth side need be more clinical in front of goal after they went down to a derby defeat at Kirkcaldy and Dysart.

After beating Lochore Welfare seven days previously, following on from a home loss to another Kingdom rival, Oakley United, the visitors were undone by two goals after the break.

John Smith put the home side ahead, being the first to react six yards out when a long, diagonal free-kick into Rosyth's box was headed back across goal, before Rab Kinnaird tapped home a second on the hour after goalkeeper, Matty Wallace, parried a cross out.

Moments later, Jason Nouri saw red for Kirkcaldy and Dysart after receiving a second yellow card, and the visitors tried to respond, with Aiden McAvoy shooting wide, while Crawford felt they should have had a penalty when Ciaran Healy went down in the box.

"We had the better of possession in the first half without really threatening the Kirkcaldy goalkeeper enough. We were solid defensively and limited Kirkcaldy to a few half chances," Crawford said.

"The second half was fairly even until 10 minutes in (when Smith opened the scoring).

"We pushed to try and get a goal to get us back in the game, and should have had a penalty when Healy was brought down in the box just as he was about to shoot at goal when one v one with the goalie. Then McAvoy was unlucky with an effort, shooting wide when he should probably have hit the target.

"Kirkcaldy defended well and our last throw of the dice was to change shape to a 3-5-2 to try and get something from the game with about 15 minutes left. This left us a bit open and, on a few occasions, Kirkcaldy hit us on the counter attack as we went for it, and could have scored another couple.

"It's a disappointing result for us because there wasn't anything in the game, but we have to be more clinical when we are on top in matches."

Crossgates Primrose, meanwhile, saw their Premier Division fixture at Glenrothes called off due to a frozen pitch.

The club offered to switch the game to Humbug Park, but said "Glenrothes were not in a position to swap venues".

They have, however, added to their squad by signing versatile former Hill of Beath Hawthorn player, Lyle Kellichan, who can play at full back or in midfield.

Saturday's fixtures: East of Scotland League, Premier Division - Crossgates Primrose v Broxburn Athletic (2pm), Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts v Hill of Beath Hawthorn (2pm). First Division - Blackburn United v Rosyth (2.30pm). King Cup, First Round - Oakley United v Hawick Royal Albert (1.30pm).