Musselburgh Athletic travelled the few miles to Newtongrange on Saturday in the knowledge they faced another stiff test against one of the Superleague’s top sides.

Having gone down 4-1 at unbeaten table-toppers Kelty Hearts a week earlier they now came up against the only other team in the division yet to taste defeat – a tough baptism indeed for recently appointed manager Stevie McLeish.

There was an element of a Haddington reunion at New Victoria Park, with McLeish and his Star counterpart Alan Miller both former managers at Millfield, and six former Hi Hi stars featuring, three on each team. Also, quite a few players on either side had featured previously for the opposition.

The fixture had originally been scheduled for Olive Bank but was switched to accommodate ongoing work at Burgh’s home. Conditions weren’t great but fortunately the rain stopped falling before kick-off, by which time there was a decent crowd inside the stadium.

Ex-Burgh striker Kris Renton had the game’s first scoring chance early on but shot just wide, while the visitors had a penalty claim waved away by the referee on eight minutes before Jed Davie brought a good save from the Star keeper, another former Olive Bank favourite in Kieran Renton.

The keeper suffered a heavy knock not long afterwards but was declared fit to continue after lengthy treatment, and he went on to pull off a marvellous save from Davie.

Musselburgh had plenty of the first half play but were guilty of missed opportunities, and as half-time beckoned the hosts began to gain the upper hand. The half ended goalless, with the match as finely balanced as had been forecast.

Star went on to see more of the play over the course of the second half, with ex-Hearts man Craig Thomson highly influential in midfield. A series of corners yielded no tangible reward for the hosts, but Thomson forced Adams into a fine save.

The same player came close with a drive from 30 yards, and it looked as if Newtongrange would eventually break Musselburgh down – they did so with a moment of magic 16 minutes from the end. Defender Tolmie sent a long ball forward and as the ball fell over Kris Renton’s right shoulder he met it on the volley, directing it over Adams and into the net.

Burgh responded to going behind with their best spell of the second half but they couldn’t find an equaliser – Jordyn Sheerin had their best opening with 10 minutes left but couldn’t finish. Ex-Olive Bank legend Chris King, on as a sub for Matti King, another held in great regard following stalwart service for Burgh, came close to making it 2-0 for the Star, while Davie blasted a shot over the bar. Newtongrange held out for the win and perhaps deserved their narrow victory, but Musselburgh too contributed greatly to a gripping encounter.

There’s a break from Superleague action on Saturday as Burgh travel to Blackburn United for a Scottish Junior Cup second-round tie. There haven’t been too many matches between the clubs over the past 20 years, but Musselburgh hold the upper hand in their few meetings. On the face of it Musselburgh should progress but their opponents will make it difficult for them.

Manager McLeish added to his backroom staff last week with the appointment of Murray Hunter as coach. Hunter, 43, played for several SFL clubs in the late 1990s and early 2000s and also has plenty of experience on the local football scene.