Oakley United 4 Livingston United 2

RICHARD FOX insists that achieving promotion this season remains unlikely for his in-form Oakley side – but says he’d never write them off.

The Blairwood Park men continued their revival under their new manager by racking up a fifth successive victory against Livingston United to move into the South Division’s top four.

Joe Dawson’s double and solo efforts from Dan Greig and Graeme Moore sealed the points, despite Jason Gregory and trialist Ally McArthur pulling goals back for the visitors in the second half, to leave Fox’s team seven points behind second-top Edinburgh United, having played two games less.

Their blistering form, which has resulted in them scoring 19 goals and conceding just four in Fox’s reign so far, has fuelled talk of a promotion challenge, but he told Press Sport: “With the position we were in when we took over, I felt that if we were to go up, we would have to win all 13 of our games and I still believe that.

“It’s unlikely; there’s not many teams at any level who are capable of that and it will still be extremely difficult for us to win the next four or five.

“There’s still a big gap and that’s why it’s important we take one game at a time but, with this group of players, I wouldn’t write anything off.

“I believe we can win every week if we go out with the right attitude.”

Praising his squad’s efforts since taking over, he continued: “I’m a big believer that, if the team spirit is right and everyone has a common goal, you can achieve anything.

“The players’ attitude in training has been spot-on. They play the way that they train and train the way they play.

“I felt in the first half on Saturday, on an extremely tricky surface, the boys were excellent. We were 3-0 up at half-time and it could’ve been more; we created a lot of chances and, defensively, we were excellent.

“In the second half, the conditions were worse because we had the wind and driving rain against us, and it allowed them to get into the game.

“I think we let our standards slip a bit but, overall, it was a good three points to keep the run going.”

Friendly: Kelty Hearts 0 Brentford B 4

KELTY HEARTS boss Thomas Courts was delighted with his team’s performance in a hastily-arranged friendly with a Brentford XI on Sunday.

Following the cancellation of their scheduled league game at Tynecastle, a hastily-arranged game against the English Championship side’s B team – in Scotland for a bounce game against Rangers yesterday (Wednesday) – took place after the club’s committee cleared the New Central Park pitch of snow.

Due to the late decision to take on the game, Courts could only call on 10 players – plus six trialists – to play and the visiting Bees ran out comfortable winners.

However, Courts said on Twitter: “I thought we were good for a goal or three. Top performance from our boys.”

Crossgates Primrose’s home clash with Pumpherston and Rosyth’s trip to Stoneyburn were beaten by the weather along with Kelty Hearts’ East of Scotland League game at Tynecastle.

Saturday’s fixtures (kick-offs 2.30pm): McBookie.com South Division – Craigroyston v Rosyth, Crossgates Primrose v Edinburgh United, Lochgelly Albert v Oakley United. East of Scotland League – Kelty Hearts v Tweedmouth Rangers (1.45pm).