EARLY South Division pacesetters Tranent paid their first visit to West Lothian since March 7 on Saturday – Whitburn Juniors their hosts in both instances, but not at their Central Park home.

Last season they occupied Whitburn Academy while their home facilities were rebuilt, this time around the finishing touches hadn’t quite been completed and the game was switched to the Beechwood Park home of Stoneyburn Juniors.

Tranent travelled boasting a 100 per cent league record after four games – Whitburn had played five, losing the first three before recording wins in their previous two outings. Touted as promotion contenders before the season started, they were keen to keep their revival going.

It was evident from the off that Whitburn were very much up for the challenge and, as Foresters Park boss Gary Small would have anticipated, his team were allowed no time on the ball. Whitburn dangerman Brass had the first scoring chance but a minute later Tranent were awarded a penalty after Joe Murray was fouled in the box – home keeper Horne kept out Craig Wojtowycz’s spot kick.

Whitburn took the lead on 25 minutes through Brass and a minute later Sinclair Inglis in the visitors’ goal saved a Taylor header. Murray came close to equalising, then on the half-hour Kenny Fisher forced a good save from Horne. Tranent had the ball in the net from a corner but the referee chalked it off for an infringement, then Horne brought off another great save to keep out Ben Miller’s fine 25-yard effort.

With just two minutes remaining in the first half, Fisher’s seventh goal of the season brought Tranent level, but Whitburn restored their lead just seconds after centring the ball, Brass finding the net with an excellent 25-yard strike.

After a pulsating first half, there was no let up after the restart. The second half was just 90 seconds old when young Tranent defender Lewis Hawkins was marginally short with an attempted back-header towards Inglis, and Brass nipped in to poke home the loose ball.

Tranent upped their game and sub Stephen Manson was unlucky to see a shot from outside the box come back off the crossbar. Horne then saved from Murray following good build-up play, and on the hour another pleasing move resulted in Manson scoring, giving his team a real opportunity to try and take something from the last half hour.

Murray looked certain to bring the scores level but Horne once more frustrated Tranent with an excellent save, pushing the ball onto the bar. They kept up the pressure, though, and with 17 minutes left Miller made it 3-3 with a great finish.

It looked like a point apiece was on the cards until in the 87th minute Whitburn scored what proved the winner, a sickener from a Tranent perspective particularly in that it came courtesy of a deflection after the ball bobbled at the back post.

Kirkcaldy YM visit Foresters Park on Saturday for the first ever league meeting between the teams – the Fifers currently sit mid-table and will likely provide stuffy opposition.