It was a mixed bag of results for West Lothian’s three East of Scotland Premier Division teams at the weekend with a win, a draw, and a defeat.
Blackburn United were unable to give their survival hopes a boost as they were held to a 1-1 draw away to fellow strugglers Hill of Beath Hawthorn.
Jack Garrad, whose loan deal from Hamilton Accies has been extended until the end of the season, grabbed a 69th minute leveller for United but they were unable to find a winner.
The draw did at least take them out of the bottom four but they sit just four points off the foot of the table and face a daunting trip to leaders Penicuik Athletic on Saturday.
The Cuikie’s lead at the top remains a single point after Linlithgow Rose came from behind to defeat Camelon and keep up the pressure on Athletic.
Lewis Payne and Alan Sneddon helped turn the game on its head.
Broxburn Athletic, meanwhile, suffered a 1-0 loss away to Crossgates Primrose. The result saw the hosts jump above Chris Townsley’s side into sixth place in a congested table.
Two West Lothian derby clashes in the East of Scotland Conference X resulted in comfortable home victories for the top two sides in the division.
Armadale Thistle remain two points clear following their emphatic 6-0 win over Pumpherston. Scott Dalziel and Stuart McLeod both netted a double for the Dale, with Colin Strickland and Fraser Keast also on the scoresheet.
Whitburn ensured they remain hot on the Dale’s heels thanks to a 5-1 victory at home to West Calder United in an eventful game that saw both teams reduced to 10 men.
The Cauther took the lead just before the break with a fine Sid Easton free-kick but the Burnie proved too strong in the second half.
Darren Liddell’s long-range free-kick levelled things up before Whitburn’s Michael McGarahan was sent-off on the hour mark – with United’s Mark Wilkins also seeing red minutes later for a rash challenge.
Four goals in the final 20 minutes saw the hosts over the line with Stuart McIntyre firing them in front before Reece Duncan netted from the spot.
Martin Maguire and Dylan Weldon completed the scoring.
Livingston United made it consecutive wins as goals from Jason Gregory and Jeremiah Otonti saw them pick up a 2-0 win at Edinburgh College but Syngenta proved too strong for Fauldhouse United as they ran out 4-0 winners at Park View.
Stoneyburn almost pulled off a shock against Bo’ness Athletic as they twice took the lead against the promotion hopefuls before falling to a 3-2 defeat.
Harthill Royal suffered a disappointing 2-1 home loss to BSC Glasgow in the West of Scotland Division Four.
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