Musselburgh recorded another hard-fought win on Saturday, as they beat Kelso 30-29 in a BT Cup thriller at Poynder Park.

There were new faces in the Musselburgh side, as head coach Grant Talac selected Kiwi duo Kevin Harris (centre) and Geoff Berry (stand-off), while Graeme McKinstry (lock) also made his 1st XV debut.

Burgh started well, and took the lead on three minutes after Berry - kicking in the absence of regular Danny Owenson - landed a penalty for 0-3.

Kelso came back into the match, aided by veteran Andrew Skeen, and his crafty work put centre Johnstone in for the game's opening try.

Former Melrose man Skeen and Kiwi Berry then traded penalties as an evenly-contested game entered its second quarter.

And Talac's side scored their second try through Cailan Gibson, who profited from good work by Kevin Harris - Berry's kick put Burgh ahead 8-13.

The county side were left light up front, though, when Will Fleming was sent to the sin-bin after a high tackle, and it took the hosts just three minutes to take advantage.

From a penalty, Kelso tapped and Skeen sent number eight Kieran Dunbar crashing over. The conversion put Kelso back ahead (15-13).

But, as they have done all season, Burgh responded superbly and won a penalty of their own in Kelso territory.

Captain McNairn opted for the corner, and several phases later that decision was vindicated as club captain Craig Owenson charged over from close-range.

Debutant Berry converted for 15-20, and that's how scores remained until the break.

Kelso came out firing after the interval, and re-took the lead thanks to Henri Boschoff's try, converted by that man Skeen.

And they enjoyed their best period thereafter, and should have scored again through winger Jackson, but he was denied by a superb tackle by James Doig.

The Borderers were beginning to put Burgh under real pressure, and it told when Jackson was on the end of a lovely pass from Skeen, as he dived over. Once more the try was converted and Burgh trailed 29-22.

Talac's men knew they needed the next try, and man-of-the-match Willie Fleming was on hand to deliver, powering over after incursions close to the Kelso line by Doig, Harris and Watt.

The conversion was missed, and Burgh needed another try to win the game.

And as has been the way so far this term, they obliged with Fleming, Lander and Craig Owenson battering a seemingly unbreakable Kelso defence.

Their resilience was finally broken, though, with less than 10 minutes to go, when an overlap allowed Watt over in the corner.

The conversion was missed, and the Burgh faithful had an agonising wait until full-time, but Kelso were unable to respond and the visitors held on for a remarkable victory.

They will now advance to round two, and return to league action this weekend as they take on Stewart's Melville at Stoneyhill.