There was to be disappointment for Dunbar as they went down to a narrow defeat at Duns on Saturday.

The home side went into the match without Stuart Crichton and Robert Courtney, with Ian Wightman and Gary Peters coming into the squad among the replacements, while Antoin Penrose and Scott Moreton were promoted to the starting line-up.

Dunbar made a poor start to the match, conceding an early penalty which was kicked by the visitors, who took a 3-0 lead.

And the county club were dealt a further blow on 20 minutes, when they lost scrum-half Blair Mills who had a bad cut to the head, which meant Kieran Donnellan continued his movements around the Dunbar back-line, this time filling in at scrum-half.

Callum Low’s side were making matters difficult for themselves at the breakdown, and the concession of another penalty allowed the Borderers to double their lead on 22 minutes.

Dunbar spurned a great chance to score when Chris Baikie made a tremendous run deep into the Duns half. If the ball had found its way to the outside and winger Ally Brown, a try would have been inevitable, but the pass went inside and the chance was lost.

But the hosts did get themselves on the scoreboard when a well-set-up rolling maul saw the Dunbar pack power towards the line. They were stopped short, but after several phases of forward play, captain Kyle Donnellan crashed over.Ross Charlton’s conversion was wide, but the gap was reduced to one point at the interval.

Dunbar started the second half in impressive style, with John Peebles making a brilliant break up the touchline before trying to find a team-mate, only for the ball to bounce off a visiting defender.

The game’s decisive score came just before the hour, when the Duns full-back arrowed through the Dunbar defence, before he moved the ball wide to the winger, who evaded two covering defenders and a brilliant last-ditch attempt by Keith Courtney to score in the corner. The conversion was successful and the visitors held a 13-5 lead going into the final quarter.

The hosts battered the Duns defence, looking to get back into the match, but the visitors’ defence held firm and they secured the four points, with Dunbar not able to salvage a losing bonus point.

Next up for Low’s side is an eagerly-anticipated county derby, as they welcome North Berwick to Hallhill on Saturday.

As well as contesting league points, the two sides will do battle for the Dale Trophy, and a big crowd is expected for the clash, which gets under way at 3pm.

Dunbar: Kieran Donnellan, J Peebles, G Peebles, A Penrose, A Brown; R Charlton, B Mills; A Wightman, C Baikie, R Gallacher, G Patrizio, S Moreton, C Bryce, K Courtney, Kyle Donnellan.