Published: Thursday, 7th May, 2009 6:05am

Burgh high after promotion sucess

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Bathgate Thistle 3 Musselburgh Athletic 3 (Burgh win 5-4 on pens), Musselburgh Athletic 3 Thornton Hibs 3 (Thornton win 3-1 on pens)

After achieving their primary aim of promotion to the Superleague, Musselburgh turned their attention to knockout competition last week.

Last Wednesday they travelled west in the second round of the St Michael"s Cup to meet a Bathgate Thistle side sitting at the foot of the Superleague table.

Both Paul Currie and Paul Tansey hit early shots off the crossbar, while home "keeper Carlin had to save from Currie and Wes Mitchell. Danny Kelly gave the visitors a deserved lead when he hammered the ball past Carlin from a few yards out, but on 32 minutes Bathgate levelled against the run of play through McLaren.

The Musselburgh lead was restored just two minutes later when Tansey found the back of the net, and the odds swung further in their favour seven minutes from the break when Bathgate"s experienced defender Neill was shown a red card.

There was still time in a frantic first half for Bathgate to equalise once again, with ex-Tranent forward Johnny Harvey the scorer to put his team on level terms at the break.

Currie got Burgh"s only goal of the second half on 63 minutes, but 12 minutes later McColligan got the goal for the hosts which ensured a penalty shootout.

Musselburgh scored all five of their penalties while McPhee failed for Bathgate and so it"s the Olive Bank men who"ll entertain either Blackburn or United or Dalkeith Thistle in the next round. Thornton Hibs were Saturday"s visitors to Olive Bank for a Fife & Lothians Cup quarter final tie, with Burgh clear favourites to progress.

They found Thornton in determined mood however, and the Fifers felt rather aggrieved when they conceded the opener after 33 minutes.

Chris King calmly netted from Currie"s through ball as the Hibs" defence appealed in vain for offside. King might have doubled the lead shortly after following a superb mazy run but his finishing left a bit to be desired.

Three minutes after going behind, Thornton drew level when Bryce"s looping header gave Ronnie McPherson little chance, and it remained 1-1 until half-time.

Burgh deserved to get back in front on 57 minutes when Ryan McCallum shot home from 15 yards. Thornton weren"t about to capitulate though and with 14 minutes left Cunningham made it two each after Chris Gordon failed to deal with a cross into the box. McAllister put Thornton ahead for the first time in the last minute, but Chris King ensured a shootout with an immediate response, lobbing the ball home from the edge of the box.

Adam Nelson scored with Burgh"s first effort, but Chris Gordon, Chris King and Mathu King failed to find the net and their interest in the competition came to an end.

On Wednesday evening, Newtongrange Star were due to visit Olive Bank as the two promoted teams met in Burgh"s penultimate league fixture. Tomorrow (Saturday), Glenrothes Juniors are the visitors in an East Of Scotland Cup quarter final.