Published: Thursday, 30th April, 2009 4:35am

Double defeat for beleaguered Hi HI

Haddington Athletic 1 v 4 Tranent Juniors, Haddington Athletic 0 v 1 Edinburgh United

Tranent took control of this derby match last Wednesday evening and spurned several chances before opening the scoring on 15 minutes through Murray.

Soon afterwards, Hi Hi"s trialist central defender was harshly red-carded by the referee after a tangle with Tranent striker Graham.

But hope flickered briefly for the Hi Hi when Jackie Myles struck a superb equaliser from the right edge of the penalty area.

But five minutes later Tranent restored their lead through Anderson with the home defence nowhere. Eight minutes from half-time, keeper Andrew Stobie was beaten to the ball by one time Millfield trialist Horne, who had only to stroke the ball into an empty net to extend the visitors" lead.

Faint hope was extinguished within a minute of the restart when Tranent defender Salton was left unmarked at the back post at a corner and his header was only helped into the net by Haddington"s trialist right back.

Last Saturday heralded the visit of Edinburgh. On 21 minutes, Scott Gilmour was unlucky to be penalised for a challenge on the edge of the box and defender Weatherston made no mistake from the spot.

With 15 minutes left, Hi Hi were reduced to 10 men for the third consecutive game after Stobie misjudged the bounce of the ball and handled outside his penalty area. Blackburn United visit Millfield tomorrow in the first round of the St Michaels Cup, having drawn 2-2 there on league business six weeks ago.