The Mark Campbell era at Blackburn United ended in delight as the Burnie retained their East of Scotland Premier Division status on the last day of the season.
Despite a 1-0 away loss to Crossgates Primrose, United ensured safety on goal difference ahead of Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale as Campbell brought to an end a 27-year association with the club.
In truth the hard work had been done in the previous few weeks as the Burnie rattled off a number of impressive results - most notably a 4-2 away win over Linlithgow Rose - that meant only a string of unlikely events would see them occupy fifth bottom in the East of Scotland’s top flight.
Even so, the sizeable travelling support were glued to their phones, constantly refreshing looking for the scores elsewhere, as much as they were paying attention to the events in front of them.
Blackburn travelled to Humbug Park knowing a draw would be enough and they created the better of the early chances.
Fergus Owens headed wide at the back post while Callum Heath cut inside but could only fire his effort straight at Sean Robertson in the Crossgates goal.
Jack Garrad looked to have given the away side the lead midway through the first half when his thunderous effort from 20 yards hit the inside of the post before being cleared.
Crossgates grew into the game and enjoyed plenty of the ball without really threatening Jamie Smith in the United goal.
With news coming through that Dunbar United were being handily beaten by Tynecastle, it became apparent only a battering - coupled with Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale comfortably defeating already relegated Newtongrange Star - would see United at risk of going down.
The Rose would pepper United’s box for much of the remainder of the half but headers from Jacob Glass and James McAteer didn’t really threaten.
The second half was more noticeably one-sided but Blackburn defended valiantly and took few risks in possession knowing what was at stake.
Smith produced a smart save six minutes after the interval to deny Brian Ritchie, who must have thought his effort was curling into the bottom corner.
Having spent most of the game looking to threaten from set-plays and in the air, there was a sense of inevitability about Primrose’s eventual winner in the 76th minute as Calum Smith nodded home from a corner-kick but United ensured there was no late collapse as the pre-season relegation favourites defied the odds to stay in the division.
A thrilled Campbell commented: “The hard work was done in the last few weeks and it’s absolute credit to the boys. They deserve it.
“What a few weeks it has been. We knew we’d stay up if we didn’t concede many goals and I think that came into our play. We defended really well and made sure we did what was needed.”
He added: “If you’d told me six weeks ago that we’d need 41 points to stay up, I’d have thought we were down. The form and play during that time has been sensational.
“Hopefully the club can kick on next season and keep building on this success and move forward.”
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