Despite doubts over the future of long-serving manager Davie McGlynn, Musselburgh Athletic had maintained a low profile in the week building up to Saturday’s sixth Superleague fixture, for which Broxburn Athletic were their visitors.

No formal announcements had been forthcoming, likewise there was no news on McGlynn’s own situation, although informed opinion had it that he’d take over the vacant Bonnyrigg Rose job – the Midlothian club duly unveiled him as their new boss on Sunday.

Walter Martyniuk and Allan Todd remained in charge of Burgh for the Broxburn game, with the three points at stake by far the most important matter for the club to focus on. They named a strong starting XI, with Brian Martin returning to the squad after his travels.

Broxburn arrived in East Lothian having not lost at Olive Bank since 2000, though of course they’d spent a lot of the intervening period in a different division. Games between the pair have invariably been close since Broxburn made it to the Superleague, and Burgh had lost only one league game since 2001.

The spirit in the Musselburgh camp remained strong, with Martyniuk and Todd of course having been valued aides to McGlynn, and they set out their stall in fashion familiar to those attending Olive Bank regularly in recent years. Over the course of the opening 45 minutes there was no doubting the hosts were the superior team, with Broxburn rarely posing any threat to Ally Adams’ goal – Burgh stuck to their patient passing strategy, with sharp movement enabling them to retain possession.

There were one or two near things before the breakthrough came with 28 minutes played, Michael Hunter heading Jed Davie’s cross back towards the six-yard box and Steven Thomson stabbing the ball past keeper Maley.

Thomson’s goal remained all that separated the teams at the interval but the visitors might have considered themselves fortunate, having contributed not a great deal to the first half.

Ollie Russell replaced Euan Ralton at the break as Musselburgh set out to try and kill the game off, but at the start of the second half it seemed as though Broxburn’s players had been on the receiving end of some strong words during the interval, and they looked capable of taking something from the game.

Burgh, though, remained confident and Broxburn’s impetus waned as the half wore on, with the hosts regaining the upper hand. When a visiting player picked up an avoidable red card with quarter of an hour left their slim hopes diminished further, and Burgh wrapped up the win six minutes from time when Lewis Turner’s ball was headed towards the bottom corner by Hunter, netting for the second week in succession.

Musselburgh undoubtedly deserved their victory and aim to maintain their good form regardless of who takes charge – their website this week suggested an official announcement will be made in due course but implied changes will be kept to a minimum.

Saturday’s fixture card takes them to Penicuik Athletic, who finally earned promotion to the top table last season after eight years of trying, five years behind Burgh. Penicuik have enjoyed some positive results although they’ve been up and down overall – they’ll present tough opposition to Musselburgh.